Phil Vernon: the future of ethical investing

Good Future

I’ve wanted to have Phil Vernon on the show ever since I started this podcast. Phil was CEO of Australian Ethical investments for ten years before he stood-down last year. Australian Ethical has been hugely influential in the responsible investment industry, through leading the discussion on how to invest ethically, while also offering a superannuation option that makes you money for your retirement, and, ensuring the environment is in good shape when you finish working. They’re no charity, they’re a for-profit business, and under Phil’s control they saw the company’s market cap boom from $20 million to almost $300 million today. Phil’s the real deal. In the lead-up to the GFC he was deep in the world of finance, working in securitisation, and so he saw all too clearly the greed and excess that built into a debt bubble, that was always going to blow up. Phil saw the light and moved over to Australian ethical in 2009 where he helped build and shape an ethical approach to finance in Australia. He weathered the GFC, but with excellent timing, he stood down last year, and so avoided being a CEO amid a global health pandemic. That’s not to say he’s not been busy. We discussed his work with Beyond Zero Emissions, as well as his work with startups. And Phil will always be a strong advocate for building an ethical path for finance, for battling climate change and empowering people to invest in line with their values. The show notes are all on my web site at www.johntreadgold.com And if you’re keen to help spread the word, please leave a review on itunes. It’ll only take you 30 seconds, and it really does help spread the word. Enjoy!