ACCR Board member

Background

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) is a growing research and shareholder advocacy organisation. Our focus is engaging with investors on how listed companies, industry associations, and other entities are managing climate, labour, human rights and governance issues. We were founded as a non-profit organisation in 2012, and since that time we have promoted ethical investment and assisted investors through education, research, collaboration, engagement and advocacy. We have a small portfolio of shares (Australian, Japanese & European) that we hold for the purpose of engaging with companies, including through the filing of shareholder resolutions.

ACCR has a dynamic team of over 25 driven and experienced staff, mostly based in Australia, working globally. Our growing team has a wide range of relevant expertise - climate science, communications, engineering, law, equities analysis, finance, investor relations, IT and more.

We are philanthropically funded, not-for-profit, and independent. We are a member of both the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA). Donations to our research fund are tax deductible.

More information about our latest work can be found in our FY22 Annual Review.

Governance Structure: ACCR is an incorporated association established in the A.C.T. and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. We are governed by a Board. We also have a Research Committee which governs use of our research fund. See current members of our governance bodies.

Comparative international activity for reference: Similar activity to that undertaken by ACCR is undertaken in the US and the UK by groups like the ICCR, Ceres, Majority Action, Share Action and The Shareholder Commons. Like ACCR, these organisations promote public discussion of issues and engagement with companies and investor organisations.

Selection Criteria

Essential

● an understanding of the governance responsibilities of a board member
● strong and demonstrable commitment to ACCR’s purpose including the quest for enhanced consideration by listed public companies of ESG issues
● tolerance of external, intellectual conflict
● availability to attend board meetings and contribute to governance of ACCR
● preparedness to become a member of the ACCR

Desirable

One or more of the following would be an advantage:
● experience as a board member. Experience gained as: a director of a listed company; or a board member of a public sector asset owner; or a director of the trustee of a public offer or industry super fund or a director of an insurance company, managed investment scheme operator or similar asset owner will be highly regarded.
● experience gained working for or dealing with one or more of the following: institutional investors; proxy advisers; company secretary of a listed company, listed company ESG staff, ESG research houses. Familiarity with the universal owner critique of Modern Portfolio Theory will be highly regarded.
● knowledge of climate science and associated public policy.
● experience with preparation and dissemination of strategic communications for institutional investors – could result from a background working for a listed company, institutional investors or related service providers.
● legal knowledge and experience pertinent to litigation and/or corporate governance.
● direct experience with the operation of small organisations (< 50 staff).
● knowledge of, experience/contacts in the philanthropic sector.

The successful applicant will be appointed to the board (likely to be around July/August 2023) with the intent that they will be recommended for election at the next AGM (November 2023).

ACCR’s board meets quarterly with participation in person in Sydney or by electronic means. The schedule of board meetings is agreed with all board members annually in advance. Meetings are generally a couple of hours in length, and held during business hours. All expenses are reimbursed. A fee of $4,000 per annum is offered to each board member, plus $2,000 for any board member also appointed to the audit committee.

ACCR values respect, equity and diversity in its operations, and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex and genders.

To Apply

To express interest, please send a CV and short cover letter setting out the reasons for your interest and relevant experience to ACCR’s Chief Operations Officer, Elisabeth Baraka, at elisabeth@accr.org.au with the Subject ‘ACCR Board member application’ no later than 30 May 2023. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed. Queries may be directed to elisabeth@accr.org.au.