Executive Summary
Ausbil’s approach to sustainability sits within a broader context of ESG and sustainable investment work that we do on behalf of our clients. This report expands on our sustainability practices in our own business.Ausbil engages in a range of activities that are designed to expand and improve our sustainability practices over time.
These include:
- Ensuring transparent and accountable governance that enables sustainability to feature in how we operate as a business.
- Reviewing our suppliers and their supply chains, including a modern slavery risk assessment.
- Analysing our energy and environmental footprint with a view to lowering our carbon impact and reducing environmental waste.
- Focusing on initiatives that aim to improve the sustainability practices across our organisation, so sustainability becomes an intrinsic part of our culture, in how we deal with each other and our clients.
- Becoming the first corporate partner of Domus 8.7, which is an independant modern slavery remediation service.
- Switched to 100% renewable accredited electricity for the Sydney Head Office.
- Audit of Ausbil’s supply chain on the issue of human rights and supply chain practices and development of a procedure to assist with supplier due diligence and escalation of modern slavery cases if found in the business or supply chain.
- Instigation of measures for key sustainability data, as illustrated in this document, aimed at reducing our use of energy, or carbon and environmental footprint.
- Positive actions in recruitment and policy discussion aimed at increasing diversity, including female representation at Ausbil, across all parts of the business.
Sustainability at Ausbil
Collaboration with Leading Sustainable Investing Organisations
Ausbil has been benchmarking our approach to sustainability and ESG for many years through our active participation in a range of global bodies for which sustainability, ESG and responsible investing are amongst their mandates.To this end, Ausbil is actively involved with a range of peak not-for-profit organisations that help define and develop the future of sustainability. Ausbil is a member of:
• World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) Collective Impact Coalition for Ethical AI to which we are an investor participant and signed their investor statement.
• United Nations−backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) to which we are a signatory;
• PRI Australian Network Advisory Committee;
• Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) of which we are on the board, and their Human Rights Working Group of which Ausbil is currently chair;
• Investor Group on Climate Change Australia and New Zealand, (IGCC) and participation in Climate Action 100+;
• Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking – Asia-APAC (we are on the Steering Committee);
• Investor Alliance for Human Rights; and
• Reappointed member of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s Advisory panel for 2024- 2025 financial year.
• Investors For Human Rights.
Ausbil is also active in supporting key global ESG initiatives through participating as a signatory, and in related advocacy and engagement. Ausbil is currently a signatory to:
• The Global Investor Statement to Governments on the Climate Crisis (2021, 2022);
• The Investor Statement on Bangladesh;
• Investor Declaration on Plastic Pollution (IDPP) from The Plastics Solutions Investor Alliance.
Ausbil places significant emphasis on combatting modern slavery and voluntarily submits a public Modern Slavery Statement, despite not being obligated to do so under the current reporting requirements.
ESG integration in our investment decisions
Ausbil is committed to the principles of responsible investing, including the integration of ESG in its investment decision-making and ownership practices. Ausbil includes an assessment of ESG factors in its investment processes across its investment strategies, which may lead to better informed decisions and the positive financial performance of an investment. Ausbil actively exercises its voting rights and engagement with companies, whilst monitoring ESG behaviour. Ausbil believes this helps fulfil its fiduciary duties to investors, and helps companies improve their environmental, social and governance practices, impact and record, together with other investors.Ausbil’s Sustainability Committee
The Ausbil Sustainability Committee assists Ausbil’s Executive Committee (ExCo) in implementing the Company’s strategic sustainability goals and assists in oversight and review of the Company’s practices.The Charter for the Committee governs the composition, role, operations, responsibilities and authority, and resources of the Committee. The committee comprises members from all areas of Ausbil and aims to meet monthly or more frequently on a needs basis. The Committee is chaired by a member of Ausbil’s ESG Research Team, and includes the Chief Executive Officer, ESG Team, Chief Financial Officer and the Head of Equities Research, to name a few.
The Sustainability Committee is expected to develop and present practical recommendations to Ausbil’s ExCo on developing corporate sustainability goals; reviewing the effectiveness of the policies and programs in achieving the sustainability goals against best practice standards; and provide recommendations on compliance issues, including on health and safety policy, environmental and climate policy, ESG goals, and any relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
Ausbil’s sustainability goals are centred on four principles:
1. Best practice on workplace management, including diversity, gender equality, career development, training, leadership opportunities, health and physical/mental wellbeing.
2. Sustainable procurement, including preparation and reporting towards the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).
3. Minimisation and management of environmental risk and impacts, including energy usage and recycling.
4. Demonstrating community and social responsibility, including charitable donations, community partnerships and volunteering.
Ausbil in a snapshot: 2024
A foundation in good governance
Ausbil is committed to transparent and effective corporate governance. Our governance framework outlines decision-making and accountability lines across the business, provides appropriate partitions and controls for the execution of our fiduciary duties, and the relevant structures that support the management and development of our workforce, and the expression of a culture of diversity, sustainability, transparency and respect.Our Board oversees the strategic direction of Ausbil and our ExCo has been delegated authority from the Board to implement key strategies and policies. Ausbil is committed to the highest ethical standards and our Code of Conduct sets out the behavioural expectations for anyone who works for Ausbil. Ausbil employees must also abide to a set of policies, including but not limited to issues such as anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing (AML/CTF), whistleblowing, insider trading, complaints handling, conflicts of interest, incident and breach reporting, information privacy and cyber security. Ausbil provides regular compliance training to all employees to ensure that employees understand the relevant policies and laws, and keep up to date with changes. All employees are required to sign an Annual Compliance Declaration which includes compliance with these policies.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Ausbil continues its commitment to Diversity and Inclusion as a people priority in 2024.Diversity and Inclusion is a standing priority for the Sustainability Committee which consists of the Chief Executive Officer, HR Manager and other representatives from across the organisation. Ausbil continues to advance its diversity and inclusion through a number of initiatives.
Ausbil continues to increase the number of females in its workforce and has implemented inclusive recruitment practices. This includes gender-neutral language in job advertisements, targeting balanced gender short lists and interviewing panels. In 2024, we had 3 new employees, which consisted of 2 female employees and 1 male employee.
While there is a broader challenge of workplace diversity and female participation, particularly within the finance industry in Australia, the benefits for achieving a more representative workforce are significant, including improved staff engagement and discussion, and a broader cultural perspective.
Demographics
As of 31st December 2024, Ausbil had a total number of employees of 71 with 23 (32%) females and 48 (68%) males. Ausbil also benefits from having staff who have lived and worked overseas, born beyond our shores. Some 31% of the workforce was born outside of Australia.Ausbil Women in Super 2024
All female employees were offered “Women in Super membership” in 2024. Women in Super is a national advocacy and networking group for women employed in the superannuation and wider financial services industries.These memberships reflect the on-going commitment that Ausbil has to development in our employees.
Harmony Day
Ausbil celebrates our inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all staff regardless of cultural background through Harmony Day. Employees were invited to bring a dish that represents their nationality and to share facts about their cultural background at the Ausbil Harmony Day morning tea. Ausbil had representations from a number of different cultures across Asia, South America, Middle East and Europe. This was a great event that celebrated the cultural diversity at Ausbil.
International Women's Day
Ausbil continues the sponsorship of the Elladex International Women’s Day breakfast in 2024. Ausbil opened up this opportunity to all employees to participate in this event which explored the topic of #countherin from guest speakers:- Antoinette Latouff – Journalist and Media Personality, who spoke about incorporating a more diverse range of voices, lived experiences, identities, and cultures.
- Lynda Edwards – Indigenous financial leader who spoke about the importance of inclusive financial services for First Nations people and the major difference it makes when First Nations people like herself are directly involved in informing policy and advocating for better ways of engaging Indigenous communities.
- Yumi Stymes – Author, Media Personality who shared her first hand experience in media and print and explored the concept of freedom of speech.
Elladex Leadership Class
On 3rd May 2024, there was an Elladex Masterclass on Leadership. It was a great opportunity to take the time out to focus on our own development. About 30 Ausbil employees discussed, explored and learnt about different leadership styles. We self-assessed and navigated through some of the strengths of each style and how best to work with them.
Mother's Day Classic
On Mother’s Day, May 12th 2024, a team of Ausbil employees participated in the Sydney Mother’s Day Classic which is a fundraising walk to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Ausbil is an on-going supporter of Breast Cancer, a cause that is close to our hearts - one of our former employees was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ausbil is a founding silver sponsor of the Canberra Mothers Day Classic.
Mentoring Program
Ausbil has also relaunched the Ausbil Mentoring Program in July 2024. Our internal talent were given the opportunity to be matched to a mentor to support them through their career and developmental goals.There are 5 pairs of mentees and mentors whom participate in the 12 month mentoring program which includes 1:1 mentoring relationship between mentee and mentor. Employee development templates and support from the HR manager were offered. The feedback on this mentoring program has been positive and we are proud to be supporting the career goals of our talent.
