Green moves: First Nations Foundation, Future Fund

After more than five years at the helm, Phil Usher has departed the First Nations Foundation (FNF).

Announcing the decision on LinkedIn, Usher said he was proud of his time spent leading the organisation.

"I'm a firm believer that when you're the chief executive of an Aboriginal organisation, you don't own the role. You're a custodian and have the obligation to make sure that you leave the role in a better shape than when you started," Usher said.

Usher said some of his greatest achievement's during his time at FNF included, helping to elevate the brand on an international level, raising more than $13 million for the foundation's cause, establishing a $2 million sustainability fund, growing revenue by 330% and increasing the foundation's net assets by 700%.

"[I] had the privilege of delivering financial literacy training in every state and Territory in Australia," he said.

"But the achievement that I am most proud of is the fact that during this time and with all the success, I've only had one staff member leave. Only one staff member left the Foundation to pursue another opportunity. Being able to create a workplace that people wanted to show up to and were committed to the cause is unbelievable."

FNF has not formally announced who will be replacing Usher as chief executive.

Usher led FNF since January 2020 but had been with the foundation since 2017 when he joined as Treasurer.

Meantime, Future Fund has welcomed a director of responsible investment in Edwina Matthew.

She joins from Wellington Management where she was investment director for sustainable investment, APAC.

She brings more than 20 years' experience in financial services, including having spent more than five years as Pendal's head of responsible investments. She's also previously held roles with Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and BT Financial Group.

She reports to Kirsten Simpson, Future Fund's executive director and head of responsible investment.

Matthew is based in the Sydney office, which was established in 2020.