Australian Ethical Investment

Ruth Medd
BSc, DipCompSc, FCPA, MAICD

Non-executive chairperson

Ruth is currently chair of WOB Pty Ltd (Women on Boards) and a director of  the NFAW Ltd (National Foundation for Australian Women). She is a past member of the NSW Casino Control Authority, and The Infants Home, Ashfield. She is a member of the audit, compliance and risk committee of Australian Ethical Investment Ltd, and chairs the compliance committee of Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd. Ruth started in IT in the 1970s. Since then she has been a senior public servant, a broadcasting regulator, the inaugural company secretary at Telstra and the executive director of an industry association.

Philip George
BSc, LLB

Executive officer

Philip has experience in commercial law, corporate governance, superannuation administration and project management. He has been a company secretary and legal counsel for listed companies. He was a senior associate at the national law firm Minter Ellison and conducted a commercial legal practice in partnership for several years.  More recently, Philip's focus has been on superannuation and managed fund administration.

Dr Les Coleman
BEng(Hons), BSc(Hons), MEc, PhD

Non-executive director

Les has been a trustee of two superannuation funds; a director of ten companies involved in finance, retail and distribution; and has over 20 years experience in senior management positions with resources, manufacturing and finance companies in Australia and overseas. Since 2004, Les has been a senior lecturer at the Finance Department of the University of Melbourne. His particular research interests are corporate risk and non-financial indicators of superior firm performance, especially ethics and sustainability. He is a regular contributor to print and broadcast media, including four years as a weekly columnist with The Australian. Les is a member of the audit, compliance and risk committee.

Phillip Vernon
BEc, MCom, MBA, FCPA

Managing director

Phil has 25 years experience in financial services covering funds management, superannuation and capital markets. He was a member of the Executive Committee of Perpetual Limited heading up its Corporate Trust division and has extensive experience in corporate governance and industry regulation including a long involvement with the Australian Securitisation Forum, Australia’s peak body representing the securitisation industry in Australia acting as Chairman of its National Committee, Education and Regulatory Committees. Phil has a long involvement in sustainability and corporate social responsibility and is a Director of Planet Ark, a not for profit environmental organisation.