MEDIA RELEASE
25/03/2026
Ethical investment pioneer U Ethical has appointed Brett Jollie as Chief Executive Officer, signalling a decisive move to scale its investment platform and expand its reach across Australia’s institutional and wholesale investor markets.
Mr Jollie brings more than three decades of experience across global and Australian funds management, including 14 years as Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Asset Management Australia. During his tenure, he led a sustained period of growth and transformation, significantly expanding funds under management while building a leading institutional and wholesale distribution platform. This growth was driven through a combination of disciplined organic expansion and targeted M&A initiatives.
His appointment marks a clear inflection point for U Ethical as it seeks to translate its long-standing ethical investment heritage into broader market segment relevance and growth in Funds under Management [FuM]. U Ethical serves more than 3,000 clients, with $1.5bn in FuM and has contributed $68 million since 1995 to support communities and environmental projects.
Chair Fiona Pearse said the Board had undertaken a comprehensive search and was delighted to appoint a leader with a proven track record of scaling investment businesses in complex, highly regulated environments.
“U Ethical has built a highly credible, purpose-driven investment platform over more than 40 years,” Ms Pearse said.
“We see a significant opportunity to take that proposition to a broader investor market. Brett brings the commercial discipline, distribution expertise and leadership experience to scale the business while preserving what makes it distinctive.”
U Ethical is Australia’s original ethical fund manager, with a not-for-profit ownership model and a deeply embedded approach to responsible investment. Its investment philosophy integrates ethical screening, ESG analysis and active stewardship which includes bold positions on important ethical matters and not shying away from holding companies to account, underpinned by a long-term, risk-aware investment approach.
The organisation is driven to deliver strong investment performance while reinvesting value for investors, the environment and communities, underpinned by a long-term commitment to positive outcomes for future generations.
Mr Jollie said the opportunity was to unlock the full potential of a differentiated investment model in a market increasingly focused on authenticity and outcomes in responsible investing.
“U Ethical combines a clear ethical framework, an aligned ownership model and a disciplined investment capability. These are powerful foundations for growth,” Mr Jollie said.
“The opportunity now is to strengthen alignment across investment, product and distribution, and to scale that capability to a broader client base without diluting the integrity of the model.”
“This is about building on a strong platform. It includes enhancing investment capability, ensuring product market fit, and expanding distribution in a disciplined way.”
Mr Jollie’s experience spans the full investment value chain, including investment strategy, governance, distribution, operations and product development. He has held senior executive and board roles across the industry and is widely recognised for leading growth, transformation and organisational alignment.
Ms Pearse said the appointment positions U Ethical for its next phase of development.
“This is about taking a very strong business and stepping forward with intent,” she said. “We have a clear growth strategy, and Brett is a leader who has successfully executed strategic growth agendas before.”
The Board also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing CEO Mathew Browning.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr Browning for his leadership and the strong, well-positioned platform he leaves behind,” Ms Pearse said.
“Mr Browning has led the transformation of U Ethical from the Uniting Church’s internal investment arm into a stand-alone, award-winning responsible investment manager. His vision, leadership, and belief in the power of ethical investing have shaped U Ethical into what it is today, and we are deeply grateful for everything he has contributed.”
Mr Jollie will commence as CEO on 7 April.
Media Contact:
Antonino Blancato
KirkBlancato Communications
0410 448 577
a.blancato@kirkblancato.com.au
