Finance veterans honoured in Aus Day Honours List

Scoring the highest honour was Professor Margaret Gardner, president and vice-chancellor of Monash University for her work in contributing to education and financial stability.

She had previously been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AC) for her service to tertiary education, particularly in the areas of university governance and gender equity and to industrial relations in Queensland.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management chief executive James Gorman, former Goldman Sachs managing director Graham Goldsmith and impact investing figure Rosemary Addis were acknowledged as officers (AO) of the Order of Australia.

Further, former deputy CEO of ANZ Dr Robert Edgar and ex-UBS Australia head Matthew Grounds received the accolade of member (AM) of the Order of Australia.

Recipient of the companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia:

• Professor Gardner, president and vice-chancellor of Monash University, for her eminent service to tertiary education through leadership and innovation in teaching and learning, research and financial stability.

Those who received an officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia included:

• Mr Gorman, chief executive of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, for his service to the finance and banking sectors through executive roles at the national and international level.
• Mr Goldsmith, chairman and non-executive director of Seek and former managing director of Goldman Sachs after 25 years with the firm and its local predecessors as well as former chair of the Goldman Sachs Australia Foundation. He is also a non-executive director of Djerriwarrh Investments. Mr Goldsmith was awarded for distinguished service to the community through philanthropic foundations, to education, and to the banking and employment sectors.
• Ms Addis, executive director of Impact Strategist and trustee of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, for significant service to social innovation and impact investment, and to the law. Ms Addis is also the former chair and founder of the Australian Advisory Board on Impact Investing.
• Ilana Rachel Atlas, chair of Coca-Cola Amatil and independent non-executive director of ANZ, as well as former group executive, people & performance at Westpac, for her distinguished service to the financial and manufacturing sectors, to education, and the arts.

Recipients of the member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia included:

• Mr Edgar, former deputy chief executive of ANZ, a bank where he worked for 25 years. He is also a director on the boards of Djerriwarrh Securities, Linfox Armaguard and Transurban. Mr Edgar was recognised for significant service to the banking and finance sectors, and to medical research organisations.
• Mr Grounds, former UBS Australasia chief executive and country head, for significant service to the financial investment sector and to the community.

Finally, George Flack, founder of Bendigo-based Flack Advisory and Sally McCutchan, chief executive and executive director at Impact Investing Australia, were both awarded medals of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Ms McCutchan, also a director of Oxfam and a non-executive director of Indigenous Business Australia Asset Management, was given the accolade for her service to the community through ethical investment organisations.

Meanwhile Mr Flack, receiving his award for his service to the community of Bendigo and to finance, was noted to be involved in the Marist Brass Band, Athletics Bendigo, Bendigo Athletic Club, Central Victoria District 15 Swimming Association, Bendigo Fire Brigade and CFA Victoria.

He also started the Bendigo chapter of cancer fundraising group Relay for Life and was its founding chair.