MEDIA RELEASE
22/12/2025
U Ethical has announced that Chief Executive Officer, Mathew Browning will step down in mid-2026 as part of a planned leadership transition.
Mr Browning has advised the Board and U Ethical team that, with an experienced management team in place and key commercial milestones now achieved, he intends to exit after eight years as CEO.
“I joined U Ethical in 2018 believing there was investor demand for ethical investing, and that U Ethical had the right ethos and credentials to become a leader in this space. Now, with key capabilities in place, and momentum in external clients and FUM flow, it’s the right time for new leadership.”
Fiona Pearse, Chair of U Ethical said: “Since joining U Ethical in 2018, Mat has led the transformation of the organisation from being essentially the Uniting Church’s internal investment arm into a stand-alone, award-winning responsible investment manager.”
“On behalf of the Board I want to thank Mat for his leadership. We are positioned for our next phase of growth with a disciplined, leading-edge ethical investment approach, a strong executive team, and an enduring ethical purpose.”
“The extended transition allows the Board time to undertake a thorough search for our next CEO and ensures time for a smooth leadership transition. With an established management team in place, there will be no change to our investment philosophy, process, or client service.”
A Board-led executive search process is underway, supported by Platinum Pacific Partners, a high-quality search firm specialising in funds management.
About U Ethical
In 1985 U Ethical became Australia’s first not-for-profit ethical fund manager, established by the Uniting Church. The firm’s purpose is to create a better world by investing ethically, delivering long-term competitive returns without compromising on values. Profits from U Ethical’s funds indirectly support programs run by the Uniting Church and its partners, providing care and advocacy for people in need through community initiatives.
Additional details
Since joining U Ethical in 2018, Mr Browning has led the transformation of the organisation from the Uniting Church’s internal investment arm into a stand-alone, award-winning responsible investment manager. Under his leadership, U Ethical has:
- Built a high-calibre and experienced investment and client team
- Introduced a modern product structure and outsourced unit registry
- Launched a refreshed brand reflecting its ethical and values-aligned purpose
- Achieved B Corporation certification and Zenith and Morningstar ratings
- Secured distribution through major investment platforms; and
- Delivered sustained growth in funds under management across charitable, adviser, and individual investors.
Media enquiries, please contact:
Erica Hall
Director, Strategy & Distribution
Erica.Hall@uethical.com
