Mr Kennett, founder of beyondblue, former Victorian Premier, director of Seven West Media and Chairman of The Torch, has taken up the role on the retirement of current Chairman Mr Tony Killen OAM at EQT’s annual meeting in October.

Mr Killen said, “Jeff is a highly accomplished business and community leader, with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors and a track record of outstanding success.

Jeff has been a director of EQT for nine years and served as a member of the Remuneration, Human Resources and Nomination Committee.

In his time on the EQT Board Jeff has developed a deep knowledge of the business as well as demonstrating great vision and passion for our clients and philanthropic endeavours.

Jeff is strongly positioned to assume the chairmanship of EQT and help drive the company’s next stage of growth.”

Mr Kennett said, “It is an honour to be invited to chair a company with such a proud history and promising future.

EQT is a special corporation that fulfils an important role in Australia, being trusted with the independent care and administration of people’s wealth, often when they are most vulnerable.

The outlook for EQT is excellent, with increasing demand for our services driven by changing demographics in the community, higher levels of wealth and increasing philanthropic attitudes, and opportunities from increasingly global markets.

The wealth in Australia is also growing, with EQT well placed to provide services to groups ranging from indigenous communities to Australia’s leading charitable and not-for-profit organisations.”

Mr Kennett said Mr Killen had helped steer EQT through significant transformation during his ten years as Chairman.

“Tony has been instrumental in re-shaping EQT and positioning it to thrive in its markets,” he said.

“He has overseen major acquisitions including the ANZ Trustees and Sandhurst estates and trusts business and established a strong and stable leadership team.

We thank Tony for his invaluable and dedicated service to the company.”

Profile of The Hon Jeffrey G Kennett AC Hon DBus (Ballarat), Hon LLD (Deakin) Non-Executive Director, appointed September 2008. Member of the Remuneration, Human Resources and Nomination Committee. Chair of the Equity Trustees Limited Compliance Committee (a subsidiary committee). The Hon Jeffrey G Kennett AC is an accomplished business and community leader with extensive experience in the public and private sectors. He is a Director of EQT Holdings Limited and Seven West Media Limited, and Chairman of Open Windows Australia Proprietary Limited, CT Management Group Pty Ltd, LEDified Lighting Corporation Pty Ltd and Amtek Corporation Pty Ltd. He was a Director of Primary Opinion Limited from 2004 to 2015, and President of the Hawthorn Football Club 2005-2011. He was a Member of the Victorian Parliament for 23 years including as Premier of Victoria from 1992 to 1999 and Leader of the Opposition 1982-1989 and 1991-1992. In his earlier career Mr Kennett was an Officer in the Royal Australian Regiment, serving at home and overseas. Mr Kennett is also Chairman of The Torch, a program helping indigenous men and women while incarcerated and post their release. He was the founder of beyondblue, the national depression, anxiety and suicide initiative, and chairman from 2000 to 2017. Mr Kennett is also Patron of The Royal District Nursing Service and Sovereign Hill Ballarat, and is associated with many other community organisations. Mr Kennett was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005.