Staff

Andrew Brookes – Chief Executive

Andrew Brookes joined the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust as Chief Executive in March 2011.

Andrew commenced his career at The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited in 1979 as a Graduate Cadet. He had a variety of roles over his 22 years with the group and worked in a number of States and overseas. Andrew’s roles included those of Group Compliance Manager, Group Superannuation Manager and leading the team responsible for negotiating the contract for the joint venture life insurance operation in the Peoples’ Republic of China.

Following the takeover of the then Colonial Limited by Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Andrew, in 2001, joined Colonial Foundation, which had become a private charitable fund. As Executive Officer, Andrew was responsible for all aspects of the operation of the Foundation.

Andrew is a member of the Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee and the Melbourne Grammar School Investment Committee. He is a Director of LifeWorks Relationship Counselling and Education Services, Deakin Foundation and the Victoria Police Youth Foundation.

Outside the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Andrew enjoys theatre, gardening and being educated by his two children.

Anthony (Tony) Baird – Investments Executive

Tony Baird has spent most of his working life in the investment world. In 1968, he began work in London for a merchant bank, Schroders, and in 1972 joined a firm of stockbrokers, Wood MacKenzie & Co, in Edinburgh. He was with them for 9 years, becoming both a partner and a member of the Stock Exchange, London.

In 1981, he and his family moved to Australia to join a local stockbroker, and he became a member of the Melbourne Stock Exchange, (later the Australian Stock Exchange), in 1982. Until Tony retired from full time work in 2005, he spent the final 10 years of his career at UBS, during which time he was in charge of the Melbourne private clients business.

Darren McConnell – Finance Executive

Darren McConnell has over 20 years experience in the professional accounting and finance industry, primarily working in chartered firms and commercial roles. Darren commenced his career in Gippsland, regional Victoria working as a Senior Accounting Manager and later as Practice Manager of a large multi-office chartered accounting firm for eight years.

In 1998, after 16 months travelling and working around the world, Darren relocated to Melbourne, continuing to work in professional practice in tax consulting and superannuation. He was with a large family office for approximately five years, working with high net wealth family groups, investment companies and large not for profit entities in the philanthropic sector.

Darren started at the Trust in August 2005 and is responsible for managing the business functions of the Trust’s operations including accounting, finance, HR and administration and also manages the Trust’s investment reporting. Darren acts as Company Secretary to the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust group and its associated entities. He has a Bachelor of Business and is a Certified Practising Accountant.

Sarah Bartak – Grants Program Officer (Arts, Culture & Heritage) and Communications Officer

Sarah has been with the Trust since 2006 and is responsible for the Arts, Culture & Heritage program area as well as general grants administration and management of the Trust’s various publications. She has over 20 years of administrative and project management experience and brings a broad range of skills to her role.

Sarah has a BA (Media and Asian Politics) from Swinburne University and a Graduate Diploma in Arts and Entertainment Management (Deakin University).

William (Bill) Couche – Grants Consultant

Bill Couche has more than thirty years experience in leadership roles in community service organisations, including child, youth and family welfare, homelessness and drug treatment services. Much of his work has been as a change agent including reviewing, redeveloping and establishing new services either as a C.E.O. or on a short-term contract basis. He has also served as a member and/or chair of a number of significant advisory/consultative structures to government at both the State and Federal level.

Since the late 1990s he has developed a successful consultancy in organisation and service development undertaking significant projects with a number of Melbourne’s major community service organisations.

Dianne Street – Accountant/Administrator

Dianne joined the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust in December 2009 and reports to the Finance Executive in aspects of the financial administration of the Trust. Dianne has experience across many financial sectors including State Government, Local Government, Not-for-Profit and Retail Business and has most recently been involved in bookkeeping, training and consulting with small to medium businesses across Melbourne.

Pamela Beech – Executive Assistant & Office Administrator

Pamela has been with the Trust since February 2003. She has extensive experience in administrative and executive secretarial positions and has worked in a range of industries including mining, publishing, education and psychology. Before commencing with the Trust she was secretary to the Deputy Director of the Catholic Education Office.