About us

The Trust Company

Corporate Governance

Principle 1, Principle 2, Principle 3, Principle 4, Principle 5, Principle 6, Principle 7, Principle 8

Principle 3

Promote ethical and responsible decision-making

Trust has established both an Ethical Framework and a Code of Conduct within which it carries on its business and deals with its stakeholders.  These apply to all Directors and employees of Trust and are available on this website.

Ethical Framework

As part of the strategic review of Trust’s business, an Ethical Framework has been developed which supports all aspects of the way Trust conducts its business and is embedded into the performance management process for the Executive Team and all employees.

The Ethical Framework, guides and better aligns Trust’s cultural values with the decision making conducted at all levels within Trust’s business, and integrates this with Trust’s purpose, vision and goals as an organisation and as a valued member of the wider community.

Trust's Ethical Framework will be available on this website.

Code of Conduct

Trust has a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors and employees without exception.  The Code of Conduct is derived from Trust’s policies and procedures relating to its business activities and is designed to promote integrity, responsibility, accountability and adherence to relevant legislation.  The Code of Conduct will shortly be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the recently adopted Ethical Framework.

Trust’s Code of Conduct is available on this website.

Share Trading Policy

Trust has a Share Trading Policy which restricts employees and directors trading in Trust shares between particular blackout periods.  The blackout periods occur six weeks before financial results announcements, one month before an AGM and at any other time that the Directors decide.  Directors and employees are reminded of upcoming blackout periods to ensure that they do not trade during a blackout period. 

Directors are also required to inform the Chairman and Company Secretary of any share trades within five business days of the transaction to enable timely disclosure to the market. 

Trust’s Share Trading Policy is available on this website.

Voting rights in capacity as a trustee

Trust and a number of its subsidiaries act as trustee and are responsible for the administration of funds, trusts and estates that hold shares in Trust.  The various Trustee Companies Acts set out the circumstances governing use of these voting rights.  Trust has received independent advice on how these voting rights should be exercised and a summary of these voting rights is:

  • Estates, trusts and common funds
     Votes should only be exercised on matters affecting the welfare of those shareholders.
  • Agency clients
     Votes should only be exercised for agency clients for whom Trust holds a proxy or an appropriate power of attorney.
  • Other superannuation funds
     Proxies should be issued on instruction of the trustees of those superannuation funds.

Philanthropy and Community

As part of the review of corporate governance practices and committee structures the Board has established a Philanthropy and Community Committee for the better promotion and co-ordination of Trust’s philanthropic and community activities.  Josephine Sukkar is Chair of the Committee and Board members include Bruce Corlett and John Atkin.