The Australian Business Community Network (ABCN) is delighted to announce the appointment of Brett Clark, TAL Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, as its incoming Chair, replacing Tony Macvean, Managing Partner of Hall & Wilcox who has served on the Board for 11 years, including the most recent six as Chair.

Mr Macvean’s wise counsel and leadership enabled ABCN to innovate, expand and deepen its impact, growing fourfold the number of students in the mentoring program and significantly expanding the membership base. His tenure includes the development and delivery of high impact programs, including the ABCN Scholarship Foundation, and dedicated ABCN programs for female, First Nations, and rural, regional and remote students.

Mr Clark has been on the ABCN board since 2019 and has been a very strong contributor to the governance, leadership and strategy of the organisation.

Outgoing ABCN Chair, Mr Macvean said: “Brett has already made a wonderful contribution to ABCN over the past four years and with the setting of a new five-year strategy for the organisation, this is the perfect opportunity for him to work with the Board and executive to deliver the next phase of impact, innovation and growth.”

Incoming ABCN Chair Brett Clark expressed his gratitude to Mr Macvean for his tremendous contribution and said he was humbled to be appointed as Chair.

“On behalf of the Board and the whole organisation, I want to thank Tony for his significant contribution over the past 11 years. He is a great friend of ABCN, and the Board and executive, and leaves an enduring legacy of impact and innovation and we wish him all the very best in the future.”

“Through my time on the ABCN Board I have seen first-hand the incredible work ABCN delivers to mentor and support students from the broader community and lower socio-economic backgrounds, and I am humbled  to be leading the network into the next phase of its development.”

About ABCN

Our vision is for all young Australians to reach their potential in the future world of work, regardless of socio-economic background.

The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation that brings businesses and schools together to address educational disadvantage.

We connect volunteers from over 50 leading businesses with students from low socio-economic backgrounds to provide fun, workplace-based mentoring programs that develop students’ confidence, skills and aspirations vital for thriving in the workplace of the future.

About Brett Clark

Brett Clark has been Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at TAL, Australia’s leading life insurer, since April 2015.

Mr Clark has over 25 years global financial services experience holding a range of senior roles across Strategy, Finance, Sales, Product and Marketing and Operations in both the Australian and international insurance markets.

Mr Clark is passionate about enhancing educational and career opportunities in rural and regional communities, and broader gender diversity, through his roles with the Australian Business and Community Network and as a member of the Champions of Change Coalition. In addition, Mr Clark is Co-Chair and a Non-Executive Director of the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) and holds a range of roles across the global Dai-ichi Life Group.

ENDS