Australia’s peak body for sustainable business, Sustainable Business Australia (SBA), is pleased to welcome leading voice on business, economics and action on climate change, Dr John Hewson, as the new Chair-elect to its Board.
“Dr Hewson joining Sustainable Business Australia as Chair comes at crucial time as questions of corporate accountability and leadership become key community and investor issues,” said Andrew Petersen, CEO of Sustainable Business Australia.
“John’s expertise and pragmatic business approach will also be invaluable through the work and leadership of our Australian business member community on climate action, as well as integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, lowering their risk profile, making better decisions and leading the solutions that are laid out in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Petersen said.
“John is a highly respected economic and business leader with a long track record on sustainability and action on climate change dating back to his ambitious emission reduction policy in 1993,” says outgoing Chair and Director, Jacqueline Fegent-McGeachie, SBA Board Director (GAICD), Founder & CEO, Sustainovate.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have him join our Board of Directors.”
“I’m delighted to join the Board of a business leadership organisation where forward-thinking businesses and organisations work together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable Australia and a sustainable world,” said Dr Hewson.
“With the strong partnership that SBA has with the CEO-led organisation, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development led by President and CEO Peter Bakker, SBA members are connected into a global business community that works to find solutions to some of the big questions, such as: how to get to net zero emissions by 2050? How can we help to make our cities more sustainable and liveable? And how can business lead the transition to a sustainable world while still growing and delivering for shareholders?”
ENDS.
For more information, please contact: Andrew Petersen CEO, Sustainable Business Australia t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780 m: +61 (0)412 545 994 w: www.sba.asn.au
About Sustainable Business Australia
SBA was established in Australia in 1991 and is the peak body for support and advocacy for sustainable business activities in Australia. In 2014 SBA was appointed Australia’s Global Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and in 2018 selected as the Australian focal point for collaboration with the Natural Capital Coalition.
SBA’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. SBA represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 100,000+ Australian employees.
About Dr John Hewson AM
Dr John Hewson is an economic and financial expert with experience in academia, business, government and the financial system. He has worked as an economist for the Australian Treasury, the Reserve Bank, the International Monetary Fund and as an advisor to two successive Federal Treasurers and the Prime Minister.
Dr Hewson’s political career included eight years as the Federal Member for Wentworth in the Federal Parliament during which time he also served as Shadow Finance Minister, Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Industry and Commerce, and then leader of the Liberal Party and Federal Coalition in Opposition for four years.
Since leaving politics in early 1995, Dr Hewson has run his own private investment banking business and served as an advisor and board member for a number of businesses and charities. He has also enjoyed a distinguished academic career at some of Australia’s leading universities, most recently joining the Australian National University as Professor and Chair of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute. The Australian National University is a member organisation of Sustainable Business Australia.