Matthews Steer appoints new Chairman
Former senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Graeme Billings, has been elected as Chairman of the Matthews Steer Board.
Mr. Billings has been a non-executive board member at Matthews Steer since August 2017, and brings extensive public company board experience to the Essendon Fields-based accounting and advisory firm. A chartered accountant, Mr Billings was at PwC for 34 years – 24 years as a partner. He was head of the firm’s Australian and global industrial products businesses and partner in charge of PwC’s Melbourne assurance division. He has provided assurance, transaction and consulting services to multinational and national companies in a range of industries.
Mr. Billings is also Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Korvest Limited, Non-Executive Director of Clover Corporation Limited, Non-Executive Director of GUD Holdings Limited, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Azure Healthcare Limited, and Non-executive Director of DomaCom Ltd, and Chairman of the audit and compliance committees at GUD Holdings Limited, Clover Corporation Limited and DomaCom Ltd.
Ken Matthews, Matthews Steer Managing Partner, said: “Graeme has vast industry and corporate governance experience, and brings strategic focus and accountability to our Board.
“Graeme’s ethics and values are a strong fit with Matthews Steer’s culture, and his network and experience perfectly position him to help us address the challenges facing the accounting and financial planning industries in the post-Royal Commission environment, and to help us create an advisory firm of the future. We are delighted to appoint Graeme as Chairman, and for him to continue his valued work as a mentor to our partners.”
Mr. Billings said: “Matthews Steer is on a strong growth trajectory and it’s a path we all want to continue. It’s our vision to be the best advisory firm we can be, to equip ourselves with industry-leading experience and resources, and to ensure we have excellent relationships with our clients.
“Matthews Steer has a first-class reputation. The firm cares about its clients and team, and aims to help them navigate challenges so they can grow and prosper. In the wake of the Royal Commission, there is increased scrutiny around the way in which firms provide advice – particularly in the financial planning area – the quality of advice, and ensuring we have the appropriate systems and professional support to deliver that advice.
“There is also an increased focus on governance, so as Chair I will also be focusing on leading the Board down the path of appropriate governance, setting the tone and making sure that’s cascading down through the business.”
Mr. Billings replaces Professor Colin McLeod, who retired as Chairman of the Board to focus on his role as Executive Director of Melbourne University’s Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre.
Professor McLeod said he leaves Matthews Steer poised to continue its meteoric rise in the business advisory space. “Graeme’s values align with the business so he is well-placed to lead Matthews Steer as it continues to grow and evolve in the coming years,” said Professor McLeod.
“The challenges Matthews Steer is facing as a business are the same challenges their clients are facing. The global economy is evolving, their business model is evolving, and the next generation of leaders, shareholders and partners is emerging, and these are all challenges the business is primed to address.”
Mr. Billings recognised Professor McLeod’s role in steering Matthews Steer over the past eight years.
“Colin has taken the business to new levels and I am delighted to take up the baton and continue to build on his achievements as Chair, and to help Matthews Steer take the next steps in terms of growth and broadening its range of clients,” said Mr. Billings.
Matthews Steer’s new board, constituted on April 11, 2019 consists of Graeme Billings (Chair), Anita Muller, Ken Matthews, Adrian Misiano, Anthony Flapper, Stephen Wooster and Catherine Duncan.