Annual report 2018 our impact 01 contents About abcn 02

Message from the Chair 03 Message from the CEO 04

Impact on students 06

impact on mentors 07

Our Programs 09 Theory of change Program delivery Core mentoring programs Collaboration initiatives and Development Hub Digital programs

ABCN Foundation 17

Our Partners 23 Partner schools Member companies and business partners

Board of Directors 28

Financial Information for ABCN is Australia’s largest Year Ending 30 June 2018 31 network of business and ABCN financials Foundation financials schools working together to inspire students from low Governance Statement 36 socio-economic areas to contact us 37 achieve their career goals. ABCN IMPACT 2018

Our reach Our Impact: students Our Impact: mentors

and a further... % % 100% 6,690 1,210 93 60 said they students were reached value the mentored through of ABCN students 1 opportunity face-to-face online programs to participate in a program completed 3 Year 12 of ABCN students have accepted (compared with a 74% % national average and 61% university offers 2 93 for disadvantaged students) (compared with 29% national average enrolled in university and 20% for SAID THEy 197 40 disadvantaged students)4 WOULD IMPROVE schools businesses how they would mentor others following the program % 90 % % OF FORMER 90 96 5,924 23,999 GOALS STUDENTS OF INNOVATE said surveyed 10+ years after completing the STUDENTS corporate total students program are fully engaged in education, they have volunteers impacted from employment and/or training compared said they were interested developed school-business with a 74% national average and 63% in STEM subjects compared for disadvantaged students5 with 29% before the program personally partnerships from taking part

1,3 GOALS and Aspirations students 2,4,5 Lamb, Prof. Stephen (2015), Educational Opportunity in Australia: who succeeds and who misses out, Centre for International Research on Education Systems, Victoria University for the Mitchell Institute ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 1 about abcn

Business inspiring students Our vision is for all young people to reach their potential The challenge in the future world of work, regardless of background. to reach their potential in The gap between advantaged and disadvantaged the future world of work The schools and students we work with schools in Australia is one of the largest in the OECD. Disadvantaged schools in Australia experience more The schools we work with are typically priority-funded teacher shortages, higher teacher-student ratios and   and located in low-SES communities. Selection involves Grow Connect Inspire greater inadequacy of educational resources than consultation with school principals and the school’s Index advantaged schools.6 The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). is a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation bringing ABCN’s partner schools typically sit significantly below By the age of 15, students from low-SES areas in Australia business and schools and their students together. the national ICSEA average of 1000 and have high levels are typically three years behind their counterparts from We deliver business-oriented mentoring programs of educational disadvantage. more advantaged areas in subjects such as maths and and workplace experiences to develop students’ skills science. Their likelihood of completing Year 12, going on Students from these schools experience a range of and mindsets, aspirations and connections. We do this to further study and obtaining meaningful employment difficulties. Many have parents who have not completed by fostering meaningful school-business partnerships is significantly diminished. their own schooling and/or gained tertiary qualifications and participation in our programs at all levels. and have little or no access to professional role models.  40% do not complete school Established in 2005 by a group of CEOs whose vision They may also have overcome language and cultural was to engage business to have a greater positive impact barriers or suffered trauma and loss as newly arrived Around 40% of students from the lowest SES backgrounds in the community, 39,197 students have benefitted from immigrants or refugees. They may have significant do not complete Year 12 or its equivalent by age 19, direct mentoring through our work. Today we are a carer responsibilities and/or need to contribute to family compared with a national average of 26%, and 18% network of 40 of Australia’s leading companies working finances due to limited household income. They may for advantaged students.7 together with 197 schools to make a difference to the be experiencing significant poverty, overcrowding in lives of thousands of young Australians from low the home, limited access to educational resources  Twice as likely to be unemployed socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. or even homelessness in the most extreme cases. By age 24, they are almost twice as likely to be not fully engaged in employment, education or training, compared to those from the highest SES backgrounds.8

 Only one quarter enter university by mid-20s By their mid-20s, only one quarter of students from the lowest SES backgrounds have entered university, compared to two thirds of those from high SES backgrounds.9

6,7,8,9 Lamb, Prof. Stephen (2015), Educational Opportunity in Australia: who succeeds and who misses out, Centre for International Research on Education Systems, Victoria University, for the Mitchell Institute, Melbourne. 2 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 message from the chair

I am delighted to introduce the 2018 ABCN Annual At the same time as we are preparing young people for Report and reflect on the organisation's highlights, the future of work, our current workforce is considering challenges and extraordinary outcomes this year. how their own jobs and roles will change. ABCN member Korn Ferry worked with ABCN this year to seek to codify Fundamental to ABCN’s purpose is helping to address the leadership skills mentors develop through participating disadvantage in our community. We believe that by in our programs – skills such as self-awareness, valuing business actively engaging with schools and students, difference and situational adaptability – so that we can we can help change the profound and systemic support our own people to thrive in this next phase of disadvantage that students in lower socio-economic working life. As one of the Hall & Wilcox volunteers said: areas can face. While we have made great progress, ‘Mentoring on an ABCN program is genuinely there remains much to do. as valuable for the mentors as it is for the students. Educators tell us that business has a unique role to play It really prompted me to refocus on my own goals Tony Macvean, Chair in education in building the aspirations, confidence as a young professional beginning my legal career.’ and engagement of young people. At the same time, On that note, this year marks 10 years of ABCN it is more important than ever for different parts of membership for Hall & Wilcox, the law firm that I run. society – in our case, business and school communities I am proud of our involvement and that our people – to build meaningful connections. As well as supporting continue to participate in ABCN programs with passion our young people, it creates better mutual understanding, and enthusiasm. ABCN reached almost 24,000 students 'At the same time we are and reinforces the positive contribution that both this year through its various programs; I am humbled sectors make. preparing young people that as an organisation we helped enable this Increasingly, the role of ABCN is to help prepare students outstanding reach. for the future of work, for the jobs of the future – a world dominated by artificial I would like to acknowledge my fellow board members our current workforce is intelligence, big data and other structural changes. While for their passion and commitment to ABCN, and our some jobs may be replaced, others – often better paying considering how their own members and Council more generally. I would like to ones – will be created. These jobs will involve a different especially acknowledge and thank CEO Allegra Spender skill set: one comprising problem-solving capability, jobs and roles will change, and her high-quality team for their tireless work to make deep expertise and strong interpersonal communication. a difference in the lives of so many young people and and how they also need We think that these are skills that can be learned, and the community in which we live and work. hence they are now core to many ABCN programs. to build problem-solving A great example is ABCN’s new Future Thinkers program, and interpersonal skills which is wholly focussed on developing competency in design thinking. Initially piloted in NSW and Victoria, to navigate new paths.' it was rolled out as a core program this year, with demand projected to triple in 2019. Tony Macvean

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 3 message from the ceo

Once again, ABCN has delivered a year of remarkable outcomes On the back of this, our strategy is ambitious. Our goal is to for our students, mentors and member companies. It is both significantly scale the reach of ABCN to offer our programs to encouraging and rewarding to receive positive feedback from all the low socio-economic schools who would like them. This the participants in our programs, but even more so to witness the goal involves strengthening our relationships with our member real impact these experiences have on students and mentors alike. companies while deliberately looking for new partners and channels to support our growth. In 2018, a record 6690 students were mentored face-to-face by 3846 corporate mentors. Thousands more students were reached We are proud of the steps we have taken in 2018 to do this already, via digital programs or one-day events, involving hundreds of including bringing new partners into the network: John Laing, additional company volunteers (totalling 24,000 students and Macquarie, Nous, Ashurst, TASSAL, Cross Yarra Partnership and almost 6000 volunteers). This work was made possible through Westpac. We continued to build on pilot programs, including the Allegra Spender, the collaboration of the 40 companies and almost 200 schools conversion of Future Thinkers to a core program. This exciting new Chief Executive Officer that make up our network – and yet, there is still much more program employs design thinking to develop problem-solving and work to be done. critical thinking skills. And we experimented with digital initiatives, including My Career Rules, a live-streamed career show backed by Students from low socio-economic backgrounds in Australia Accenture; a goals and values tracking app developed with What’s continue to suffer from an unappreciated equity gap in education Right AI and Optus Future Makers; and a virtual work project in outcomes. By the age of 15, these students are already typically conjunction with companies Inside Sherpa and KPMG. three years behind their more advantaged counterparts in subjects such as maths and science. The unrealised potential in our young Our network of companies has been incredibly supportive – not 'In 2018, a record people and the economic impact on Australia is staggering. only with providing mentors, but also in program innovation and Something needs to shift, and it is evident that business has contributing their professional expertise to help drive ABCN. I would 6690 students a vital role to play. like to acknowledge those particular supporters here: Accenture, were mentored American Express, Bain, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, EY, Shared Value: Deepening and scaling our impact Hall & Wilcox, IAG, Jetstar, JP Morgan, Korn Ferry, KPMG, Lendlease, face-to-face by among mentors Microsoft, MinterEllison, nbn, Optus, PwC and Westpac. 3846 corporate As we undertook our strategy review in 2018, we sought to I am extremely proud to lead an organisation that continues mentors.' understand the long-term impact on students and mentors. to inspire on so many levels and create long-lasting impacts for We spoke to almost 50 of our original GOALS students, now in Australian youth – and I take my hat off to the incredible team I have their mid-20s; and we worked with two of our member companies, working beside me as we look towards an exciting future for ABCN. PwC and Optus, on in-depth research about how mentoring impacts their teams. This process validated our anecdotal experience – that our structured workplace mentoring programs create significant shared value. It can be life-changing for the student, and at the same time deeply engaging for the mentors, leading to lower attrition and faster promotion rates (see page 7). Allegra Spender

4 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 2018 highlights

ABCN Foundation Design thinking Demand for our Accelerate program continues to increase year-on-year and Demand for our Future Thinkers workshop, which in 2018 we were proud to welcome another 31 scholars from NSW, Vic, Qld, piloted last year, has grown exponentially. Now a core SA and WA. There are now 76 active scholars and mentors in the program ABCN program, we ran 19 programs in 2018, with an across Australia – our highest number of participants yet. almost 300% increase in take-up projected for 2019. One example of the impact of this program is at Liverpool Boys High, where a recently implemented Girls in STEM waste and recycling program was the direct result Collaboration with our member companies to develop the pipeline of of a project developed by their students in our female students taking up STEM subjects has been a major focus for ABCN. design thinking workshop. This includes piloting new programs such as All Systems Go with Westpac; ongoing work with Jetstar on High Flyers; goIT Girls with Tata Consultancy Youth EMPLOYMENT Services; and four targeted scholarships for female students in STEM made possible through JP Morgan. The JP Morgan-funded InRoads program is designed to provide at-risk youth with the skills and workplace exposure needed to peruse employment and Indigenous education traineeships. In 2018, 232 students took part in the We are proud of our ongoing work with the Aurora Education Foundation in program across and Melbourne. More than WA, which supports indigenous students. This year, 30 students participated 70 of these participants are employed following in a bespoke version of our Innovate program and plans are underway to completion of their HSC, including several who run the program again in WA, as well as expanding to NSW in 2019. Only 37% were offered roles with Optus and Work Ventures. of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students complete Year 12, compared with 74% of the general population. Multiple award-winning program Digital programs We were delighted to be awarded a Gold Global Our strategy of leveraging digital capabilities to scale student and member Best Award for Entrepreneurs Unearthed in 2018 impact was championed by a number of our member companies in 2018. in recognition of the program as a world-class Accenture co-created the ABCN digital strategy and supported the digital business-education partnership. Presented by the pilot program, My Career Rules, a digital platform for 13 member company International Partnership Network, this is the 11th mentors to share their career stories with 275 students from 11 schools in Global Best Award ABCN has received for our work. real time. The learnings were invaluable, and will help shape 2019 initiatives.

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 5 ABCN is committed to measuring the longitudinal impact our programs have on students. We surveyed 49 of our students impact on students who participated in the GOALS program between 2005 and 2008, to understand the impact of their experience on their lives today.

Christopher Stanley, Class Of 2008 Maria Emilia Mamblona, Class Of 2008 Graphic Designer Strategic Recruiter

Christopher is a former student of . He went on to graduate with Maria had arrived in Australia a couple of years before she participated in a bachelor of design from Western Sydney University and is now a graphic designer. GOALS in 2008. A former student, she has completed Christopher credits GOALS, and his mentor David, with changing the direction of his her bachelor degree in psychology and a post-graduate certificate in human future 10 years ago. He says the program gave him the opportunity to experience resources management. Looking back at her experience of GOALS 10 years what life was like for those in the corporate world, which gave him something to ago Maria remembers the excitement of coming into the city, the great food aspire to. ‘GOALS gave me the exposure to opportunities that inspired me to and getting to catch up with her mentor, Angela, whom she describes ‘like do better. Be better. It changed my thinking about my future at the right time a friend’ who encouraged her to take on new things, including applying for in my life.’ her first job. Christopher says that GOALS really set his professional standard and ambitions, ‘Before GOALS, I didn’t feel confident in relation to public speaking or and importantly gave him the confidence he needed to go on to achieve his meeting new people, I hadn’t been in Australia for very long and my English professional goals. ‘I didn’t know what professionalism looked like in the real wasn’t that good. It was a transformation for me from being quiet and timid, world. The mentoring and the skills that I gained from the program influenced to finishing school at the top of the class, and as a prefect. It was like I knew my approach to everything I’ve done since, whether applying for a casual job, I could do things – but I just couldn’t do it – but GOALS gave me that going to university, or starting my career. And the fact that I was able to relate confidence to do what I really wanted to do – it was very empowering.’ to people that I wouldn’t have otherwise had contact with, made all the Now working as a strategic recruiter at Adecco in Sydney, Maria says being difference for me.’ exposed to a corporate environment helped shape her career. ‘My career Since 2008, Christopher has looked for new opportunities to give back and mentor has been a domino effect that GOALS really kicked off,’ she says. others, including through sport and university. ‘When a high-end professional has Maria has looked for opportunities to volunteer whenever she can. She has no obligation to mentor a kid from the west, it gives you a grounding, and when taken many of the skills she learned in the program and has applied them to you have an opportunity to give back, you do so, as it benefits the kids more than her own volunteering experiences, such as helping newly arrived refugees with you realise. I believe that being a role model is an important element in a successful confidence-building, communication and even how to give a good handshake. career, and that we should all take on these opportunities when we can.’

6 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 Long-term impact: a closer look impact on mentors The following results are based on interviews with 49 GOALS alumni who participated in the program between 2005 and 2008. For 14 years, ABCN has This year we decided to drill a little deeper into the real impact for our mentors and to do this, worked as a conduit School education completed we worked with a number of our member to connect low socio- companies. Not surprisingly, the findings reflect Former GOALS National economic schools and that engaging with students creates significant human capital benefits. students average their students with the PwC and Optus tracked all their mentors who Year 12 or 98% 74% corporate world. participated in ABCN programs over a number equivalent Our experience in working closely with these of years and found the following: schools tells us that educators see enormous value Highest post-school qualification completed Reduced attrition rate (30% lower in engaging with business to improve outcomes than the company average at PwC; for their students. Former GOALS National 34% lower at Optus) students average International research backs this anecdotal evidence: a study in the UK by Dr Anthony Mann Improved promotion rate (double TAFE/Diploma 39% 25% found that students exposed to four or more positive the company average at PwC) interactions with employers during school were Bachelor 35% 27% five times less likely to be disengaged in their 20s.12 Longer tenure (1.3 to 2.3 years longer Masters 11% 3% ABCN outcomes from our GOALS program are than the company average at Optus) also in line with these findings: 90% of former GOALS students surveyed 10 or more years The potential economic benefits both companies The average income of former after completing the program are fully engaged identified were: $60k 2005-2008 GOALS students is in education, employment and/or training average $60K compared to the national compared with a 74% national average and Savings from staff retention income average of $37K for 24 year olds10 63% for disadvantaged students.13 But what of the impact on the mentors? We Additional value from staff-initiated 90% of former GOALS students know from our own surveys that our mentors learning and development 90% are fully engaged in employment, value the experience and the chance to improve learning education or training by their mid- their own skills. Increased staff satisfaction or earning 20s compared with 74% national average at age 24, and 63% of In 2018, 100% of mentors across all ABCN member 11 12 Mann, Dr Anthony (2012), It’s Who You Meet – why employer contacts at school make lowest SES students (2nd decile) companies said they valued the opportunity to a difference to the employment prospects of young adults, Education and Employers participate in the program. Taskforce charity, UK. 13 Lamb, 2015

10 ABS Census of Employment, Income and Education, 2016 11 Lamb, 2015 14 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 7 mentor competencies

To understand exactly which competencies mentors were developing through our programs, we worked with another of our member companies, Korn Ferry, to probe mentor outcomes. Multiple sources were consulted, including desktop research, academic publications, commercial sources, ABCN and member company feedback. Research already tells us that the value of mentoring in the corporate world generates significant individual benefits such as improved promotion rates, improved earning potential, increased managerial productivity, better networks, improved people skills and increased awareness of current thoughts and trends. These can translate into improved retention, higher productivity, and cultural gains across the organisation. Through its research, Korn Ferry identified the following core competencies developed through mentoring during the GOALS program:

Nils Miller (right), one of our mentors from builds encourages Investec, summed up the benefits recently: resilience courage 'I think it's a good personal development develops demonstrates experience, for both the mentee and the talent selfawareness mentor, thinking about goals, thinking about things you want to achieve, and values hones situational really trying to assist people in the differences adaptability community to help in this stage of their communicates refines lives where they could really go one way effectively interpersonal savvy or another. I think to try and help them develop some good goals, and set some Combined with the data from PwC and Optus, what has become clear from challenges for themselves, is a really this examination is that volunteering both engages and attracts the highest performers in the organisations we work with – and that mentoring supports good thing to be able to help with.' staff development, particularly those at junior levels who are looking to develop their management competency.

8 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 our programs

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 9 ABCN creates a future-fit workforce through our shared value proposition: workplace theory of change interactions that improve student employability while increasing mentors’ workplace success.

purpose activity student immediate outputs STUDENT LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES ultimate goals

Increase aspirations and confidence Devote more attention to professional and personal Inspiring Unique model of: development Young people have students to • Mentors a higher rate of achieve their • Workplace- Develop career knowledge and Seek leadership positions in schools and part-time jobs employment and potential in based sessions future-focused workplace skills better quality of the future • Building skills employment world of work of the future Progress through school with better results and Year 12 completion rates Create professional connections

Advance to further education/employment

MENTOR immediate outputs MEMBER COMPANY LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES

Develop mentoring, coaching Increase retention and skill-base of high-quality staff and interpersonal skills Promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture

Increase engagement and resilience

10 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 2018 Program Delivery

ABCN delivered 664 programs in 2018. ABCN’s core focus is face-to-face mentoring. In 2018, a record 6690 students were mentored in our programs, almost 20% more than in 2017. This involved 3846 mentors, representing a 14% growth on the previous year.

2018 2017 since 2005

Businesses 40 38 - NT States/Territories 8 7 - 1 QLD Schools 197 203 - WA 114 Students Mentored SA 6,690 5,588 39,197 88 Face-to-face 19 NSW Mentors Face-to-face 3,846 3,369 32,968

246 Total Students Participating in all ABCN-supported activities 23,999 25,755 173,491 ACT (includes one-day events and digital programs)

5 Total Volunteers Participating in all ABCN-supported activities 5,924 5,590 50,102 VIC (includes one-day events and digital programs) 181 TAS Volunteer Hours Participating in all ABCN-supported activities 38,848 31,521 380,148 10 (includes one-day events and digital programs)

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 11 key skills & mindsets Core mentoring programs Problem-solving Goal-setting Critical thinking Self-management

Future Our core programs are designed to raise students’ mentoring programs are communication, teamwork, Leadership aspirations, develop key skills and help them build personal growth and confidence. With the exception orientation connections with a contemporary workplace and a of our primary school programs, all programs take Interpersonal Resilience corporate mentor. The common elements of ABCN’s place at our member company’s offices. skills

high schools

Years 11, 12 and first Year 10 equivalent year of tertiary/ Year 8 Year 9 Year 9 & 10 Year 10 (intensive English centres) Years 10, 11 & 12 Year 11 training/employment

Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Impact Area: Diversity and Enterprise and STEM Enterprise and Enterprise and Enterprise and Diversity Leadership Employability Employability Employability Leadership Employability

Innovate GOALS Future Thinkers Interview InterACT Focus & Focus2 Aspirations Accelerate Encourages the Encourages Creative and 2 Impress For recently arrived Encourages take-up Broadens awareness A 3-year mentoring uptake of STEM completion of Year innovative problem- Interactive interview migrant and refugee of leadership roles of post-school career and financial subjects 12 and further study solving workshop skills workshop students by female students pathways support program for exceptional students Students in 2018 Students in 2018 facing significant Students in 2018 Students in 2018 Students in 2018 Students in 2018 Students in 2018 320 271 disadvantage 644 432 1453 1049 388

2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes Students in 2018 2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes 90% of students 90% of students 94% of students 59 98% of students 96% of students 92% of students 95% of students said they were felt they were able felt more knew about the felt they knew were aware of felt they 2018 Outcomes interested in STEM to develop and confident importance of how to prepare their strengths understood key subjects compared test new ideas speaking English 100% of students setting goals for a job interview and weaknesses employability who completed the with 29% before compared with with others compared to 12% compared with 14% as a leader skills compared Accelerate program Innovate. 26% before Future compared with 23% before GOALS. before Interview compared with with 18% before in 2018 are engaged Thinkers. before InterACT. 2 Impress. 23% before Focus Aspirations. in employment, Key Skills & Mindsets and Focus2. education or Key Skills & Mindsets Key Skills & Mindsets training.

Key Skills & Mindsets Key Skills & Mindsets Key Skills & Mindsets Key Skills & Mindsets Key Skills & Mindsets

12 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 'I entered the Aspirations program with little direction and I exited the program with a clear career in mind, and armed with the many necessary skills required for the future. One of the best aspects of the program was the mentors, and one of my mentors I will be forever grateful for. The efforts he made to go above and beyond for me have made a big difference in my life.'

Karlee, 2017 Aspirations and 2018 Focus student

primary schools

Program: Program: 1:2:1 Spark Reading mentoring for students who will Maths mentoring for students who benefit most from developing their literacy, are falling behind in the early years of language skills and socialisation mathematical literacy, while also building their social skills Students in 2018 Students in 2018 364 164 2018 Outcomes 2018 Outcomes 97% of students were more 100% of students were more positive about reading and positive about maths demonstrated greater confidence

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 13 collaboration initiatives and development hub

Our Development Hub is a centre for innovation, design and development. It enables us to connect with our member companies and schools to collaborate on, and pilot, new programs and concepts. Most importantly, it ensures our program Aurora Education Foundation Future Thinkers Entrepreneurs Unearthed content is responding Aurora Education Foundation is a national Future Thinkers aims to build transferrable Entrepreneurs Unearthed was developed in to the greatest needs organisation supporting Indigenous education. enterprise skills in Year 9 and Year 10 students as a unique collaboration with EY and CBA. It is a of schools and business One of Aurora’s core programs, The Aspiration they work with mentors to practice transforming competition and mentoring program that aims to maximise impact. Initiative (TAI), provides intensive educational challenges into opportunities. Piloted and funded to cultivate entrepreneurship skills among high and related support for Indigenous students by EY, Future Thinkers was rolled out as a core school students. Over a series of workshops, Here is a snapshot to complete high school and succeed in higher ABCN program in Term 4 2018. It fast gained students work with mentors to develop an of some of our 2018 education. ABCN partnered with Aurora popularity, with 12 member companies, 306 innovative business idea which is then pitched collaborations: to integrate our Innovate STEM mentoring students and 141 mentors participating in to a ‘Shark Tank’ style panel. program with TAI in a shared pilot held in Perth. the program last year. In 2018, the pilot program was expanded from In 2018, 30 TAI students and 10 mentors Future Thinkers is based on the principles Melbourne to include Sydney, with workshops from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, of design thinking, a human-centred involving 44 students and 33 mentors. The 2018 Microsoft and Bankwest took part in the approach to innovation. These principles Entrepreneurs Unearthed Sydney winners pitched Innovate pilot workshop. ABCN is looking are increasingly being used by organisations the idea of a safety bracelet to help women protect to extend our engagement with Indigenous to solve problems and redefine challenges so themselves against violence, and the Melbourne students, and in 2019 we will be expanding they remain competitive in an ever-changing winners conceived of a smart shower device our partnership with Aurora to include workplace landscape. that helps track individual water usage. three programs. Before participating in Future Thinkers, only 31% of students felt they were able to come up with creative solutions to problems, whereas this rose to 88% after completing the program.

14 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 InRoads All SySTEMs Go! CBA Design Sprint InRoads is an employability initiative aimed at All SySTEMs Go! is a STEM exposure and Design Sprint is a human-centred design kick-starting the career of Year 12 students after workplace immersion for girls in partnership collaboration between ABCN, the CBA’s they finish school. It was particularly targeted with Westpac. The program, involving four days Social Innovation team, member companies at students who were not planning to attend of structured work experience, is designed to including Lendlease, Microsoft and PwC, further education. A collaboration with JP encourage more girls to choose STEM-related schools, students and other stakeholders. Morgan since 2015, the skills-development subjects and careers. The unique hands-on The collaboration aimed to develop new program looks to support motivated students experience aims to bridge the gap between what program ideas around the future of work by giving them the tools and necessary is being learned at school and what is happening and the specific challenges faced by, and direction to achieve future success. right now in business. The program is a lot of opportunities available for, young people fun with valuable experiences ranging from from low ICSEA schools. Two key program Over five workshops, Year 12 students work with individual problem-solving to group activities. ideas came out of the collaboration, and mentors to develop enterprise and employment we are looking to pilot them in 2019. skills, including how to use social media in their In 2018, 36 Year 10 high school girls were job search and develop their CV and interview given the opportunity to spend time with skills. We then partnered with TalentRise, a non- female mentors at multiple Westpac offices profit recruitment agency, to support students and locations. Afterwards, 80% of students to make job applications. said they were interested in studying STEM subjects in the future, compared with only In 2018, 222 students were involved in InRoads 35% before the program. workshops with 69 mentors from eight member companies. More than 70 students have obtained jobs through the program.

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 15 Digital programs

My Career Rules Full STEAM Ahead STEM+X and The Futurists’ Fair What’s Right AI and Optus My Career Rules was ABCN’s first foray Full STEAM Ahead was delivered in STEM+X and The Futurists’ Fair was Future Makers into a cross-company digital program, collaboration with the Commonwealth developed in partnership with NBN Co ABCN partnered with What’s Right AI, allowing company mentors to reach a Bank of Australia and the Museum of to highlight the importance of Science, a technology start-up in the coaching greater number of students and schools Applied Arts and Sciences to engage Technology, Engineering and Mathematics space, to see how goals and values could online. The pilot program, funded with a Year 7 and 8 students with STEAM-based (STEM). The STEM+X workshop aimed be reinforced using an app. What’s Right grant from Accenture, was a series of fun activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, to encourage Year 6 students to think AI was a finalist in the Optus Future Makers and interactive live-streamed careers panels Arts and Maths). Students were inspired about the role STEM plays in solving 2018 program, an intensive start-up boot that reached 275 Years 7 and 8 students through technology showcases, and then problems, and to equip them with skills camp where entrepreneurs are rigorously in 11 schools across NSW, Victoria, and developed skills in coding and game such as teamwork, problem solving challenged. ABCN tested the app through Queensland, and involved mentors from design, which they ultimately used in and critical thinking. our programs for use by our students 13 ABCN member companies. a Hackathon. The Futurists’ Fair allowed students to use and we look forward to its further The goal of the program was to expose To ensure the experience translated back the skills they developed in the STEM+X development this year. students at a relatively young age to a to school, teachers were also invited into workshop to develop a class project, which wide range of career opportunities across professional development sessions, and could be an idea, experience or invention a variety of industries. At the same time, the participating schools were given that will brighten Australia’s future. This we aimed to break down stereotypes hardware for use in the classroom. As project was then presented to a panel of around career paths, gender and diversity well as a face-to-face program, we offered judges via video conference. The winning – showing students the evolving and often a digital program that exposed students school, Leanyer Primary School, presented non-linear nature of today’s careers – and to STEAM mentors who talked about concepts about a drone, an app and a to reinforce messages about the skills and their careers. This accessibility meant we renewable-energy charging phone case, mindsets needed to make a successful could extend our reach across Australia to to help manage extreme weather events. career in the future workplace. regional, remote and interstate students In 2018, 215 students were involved in with program content streamed directly An encouraging 88% of students felt STEM+X and The Futurists’ Fair from eight into classrooms. Over 970 students and confident they would find a career that schools across seven states and territories. teachers participated in 2018. suited their interests and aspirations after taking part – compared with only 59% before the program.

16 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 abcn foundation

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 17 abcn foundation

The ABCN Scholarship Foundation provides intensive Scholarships in demand mentoring and financial scholarships to exceptional 'The support, students facing economic, family or social challenges Since its inception in 2013, the Foundation has continued to which impact on their capacity to achieve their evolve, with the number of scholarships awarded growing at friendships, full potential. an average rate of 21% per annum. During this time, we have awarded a total of 117 scholarships and distributed $583,000 financial aid, Scholarship beneficiaries participate in the three-year in award monies. Accelerate program, which provides a unique combination networking of corporate mentoring and financial relief. Our Accelerate program is in high demand: the Foundation typically receives between 200-300 applications every and mentoring Students from low socio-economic status (SES) are often year from around Australia. We are currently able to award three years behind their counterparts from more advantaged a scholarship to between 10% and 15% of these exceptional that I received due to areas. They are typically less likely to finish school and/or students. Scholarships are open to all Year 10 Australian the kindness of ABCN go on to further study and therefore less likely to gain students, however the majority of applications come from meaningful employment; 40% of young Australians from the schools we already work with, representing the lowest has left such a positive the lowest SES backgrounds do not complete Year 12 or socio-economic areas in Australia. Most of our applicants its equivalent by age 19.14 This directly impacts access to are likely to be first-in-family to complete school and/or impact on my life. I’m tertiary training and university – and ultimately earning attend university. eternally thankful … capacity and a sustainable career. In 2018, we were delighted to be able to award 31 scholarships. ABCN is helping the A key objective of our scholarships is to boost participants’ These new awards mean that 76 scholars are now actively completion of Year 12 and successfully transition to further participating in the Accelerate program during 2019. dreams of the youth education, training or employment. Our goal is to continue to grow the number of scholarships come true. Please The Foundation is a separate entity to ABCN, relying we are able to offer each year to address this demand. wholly on philanthropic support and corporate donations. We are aiming to scale the program sustainably, ensuring a never stop doing that.' Collaboration with ABCN’s member company network minimum of 100 students are participating at any one time. Kimberly, 2015 scholar and partner schools is critical to our success.

14 Lamb, 2015

18 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 'The ABCN scholarship has allowed our entire school Snapshot of our 2018 applications community to see that with hard work, commitment, determination and intellectual rigour, students can low-SES, had both parents achieve great things equivalent to those in more Year 10 unemployed 100% students 28% advantaged areas of Australia. It has also acted to continue the improvement of school culture, with female had both parents 78% with education increased numbers of students seeking to engage 29% level below in leadership opportunities. 14% refugees Year 12 identified as Over time, as these students access the corporate had a 10 Aboriginal or Torres world, it increases the number of champions who can 6% disability % Strait Islander then advocate for socio-economically disadvantaged students, including access to similar opportunities All of these applications demonstrated extraordinary levels of disadvantage that so many young Australians are experiencing. in future. This is something that changes society We know from our outcome measurements and ongoing feedback in a positive way.' from the principals, students and mentors we work with that the Timothy Lloyd, Principal, Plumpton High School program is making an impact. In 2018:

• 100% of Accelerate Year 1 students completed the first year of the program. • 95% of Accelerate Year 2 students completed Year 12 (compared with a 74% national average and 61% for disadvantaged students)15 and 90% received tertiary offers. • 93% of Accelerate Year 3 students completed the program and 100% of those students are engaged in employment, tertiary education or training. And the impact of a scholarship goes much further than the individual award recipient. Annual survey responses revealed: • 89% of 2018 scholars reported that the scholarship made a difference to the lives of their siblings or family. • 100% of principals report ABCN scholarships positively impact the whole school community.

15 Lamb, 2015

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 19 how the abcn scholarship program changes lives

benie* omar* 2015 scholar 2017 scholar

Benie was born in Congo and moved to Tanzania as Australian-born Omar is on track to be the first person in a two-year-old when her family sought refuge there. his family to complete Year 12. The trauma he witnessed In her application she wrote: and experienced as a child resulted in periods of time in foster care and disrupted schooling. Despite this, he 'My parents fought hard every day to get us remains focused on being an above-average student, to a better place where we could have a good while also looking after his younger brother and acting childhood and receive a better education. Life in as primary carer for his mother. Africa was difficult; my parents had to make many sacrifices every day just to be able to feed us. In ‘My past, together with ongoing responsibilities 2006 my family received news of being sent to and hardships (including financial), took its toll. another refugee camp where we were granted Sometimes I feel like the teenager I am and want access to Australia. Life wasn’t easy in Australia to go to the cinemas with my friends but cannot but it was certainly better than how it was in afford it. Other times when I am doing my Africa. I found it hard being different and for a homework on the coffee table, I wish I had my while I think I lost sight of what mattered most.' own desk. Despite everything, I do not behave 'Whilst the monetary or want to be treated like a victim. I want to be Four years after Benie applied for a scholarship, we are treated as a normal student.’ aspect of the scholarship proud to report that she has graduated from the ABCN Accelerate program and is now in her second year of a Omar started the first year of the program in 2018. did make a big difference to bachelor of arts at the University of Queensland, majoring Already, he says that the scholarship has had an enormous my financial circumstances in international relations, psychology and Korean. She says impact on his life by easing financial difficulties, helping the scholarship had an immense impact in her life: him feel more involved and a bigger part of the school during high school, it could as he can now afford the things required for daily life 'It has honestly helped me in being able to really that he previously could not: never compare to the world take the time to think about what’s important and of opportunities that have what steps I can take to achieve those goals. One of ‘Through my mentor I’ve learnt how to become my goals was being confident and having effective a good leader and role model. Observing how he opened up to me because studying methods and with my mentor, I was able to interacts with his peers at work has helped greatly of my mentor.' slowly get there. I can say now that I have achieved towards that short-term goal.’ both goals … well, on the road to getting there.' Shadab, 2015 scholar * Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the young people involved. 20 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 We are proud to announce our 2018 scholars foundation impact

NSW Faqeeha Amal, Malakhai Flores, Andrew Ha, Urooj Hussain, 117 Scholarships Inana Kako, Julina Lim, Johnny Luong Nguyen, Thanh Nguyen, since 2013 Tina Nguyen, Ojani Oloapu, David Phan, Nafeesa Rishad, Khadija Salim, Jessica Te, Harley Young in Award monies $583k since 2013 QLD Aron Gebresalasie, Jackson Mason, Tianna Morier, Gina Rambold-Dent, of scholarship students Bawi Tha Par, Bree-Anna Wagstaff, Morgan Watego, Talon Wilson 93% completed ABCN’s Accelerate program in 2018 of those students are engaged SA 100% Amber Finn in employment, tertiary education or training (compared with 63% of disadvantaged students at age 24) 16

VIC Azada Amiri, Hamid Osman, Asiyah Qureshi, Mohamed Saleh of 2015 scholars completed Year 12 95 17 % (compared with 74% national average) WA Sophia Aston, Jarome Cross, Daniele Parker Of the 76 students who participated in the Accelerate program in 2018:

reported they are now confident they will achieve their goals 97% (compared to only 47% before the program)

reported they are confident of their career pathway 83% (compared to only 36% before the program)

reported that they now understand their strengths 89% and weaknesses (compared to only 25% before the program)

are confident they will complete school/tertiary education 100% (compared with only 75% before the program)

16 The Smith Family 2017 17 Lamb, 2015 ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 21 ‘What I have most valued about foundation supporters the program is the opportunity to be a part of, and play a small part in a young person’s journey The ABCN Foundation relies wholly on funding from In addition, we would like to thank the ongoing towards higher education and a the corporate sector, philanthropic foundations and support of the organisations which have donated generous individuals. We are extremely grateful to Perpetual Scholarships (one scholarship every 3 career. Seeing Trent’s motivation our ABCN community – both individuals and corporate years in perpetuity) since the Foundation’s inception, entities – whose loyal and ongoing support enabled including Fuji Xerox Australia, KPMG, Microsoft, and dedication to succeed is us to raise $396,723 in the 2018 financial year. Navitas and Optus. very inspiring.’ Major donations from organisations in the 2018 Thank you to the members of the Scholarship Mitch Brown, mentor financial year include: Foundation Committee who led the organisation in 2018: Michael Hawker AM (Chair), David Clarke, Corporate: Citibank, Investec, John Laing, JP Morgan, Jacqui Jones (CEO, resigned 25/08/17), Kerry Jukes, KPMG, Macquarie Bank, Optus, Stockland and TAL Paul O’Sullivan, Matthew Quinn, Allegra Spender Trusts: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (Eldon (CEO, appointed 30/08/17), Guy Templeton, John & Anne Foote Donor Advised Program), Navitas Weber and Helen Zimmerman. Education Trust Individuals (including Board members): David Clarke, Guy Templeton, John Weber, Matthew Quinn, Michael Organisations that Hawker AM, Noel O’Halloran, Paul O’Sullivan, Rob Sindel, provided mentors and/or Tony Macvean and Carla Zampatti AC. in-kind support Of the 31 scholarships awarded in 2018, 10 were Bain & Company, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, CBA, targeted scholarships. We are grateful to the Citi Australia, Ernst & Young, Fuji Xerox Australia, generosity of the following supporters who Hall & Wilcox, Jetstar, KPMG, Microsoft, Minter Ellison, enabled us to provide these awards: Navitas, Optus, PwC, TAL, Tata Consultancy Services, • JP Morgan: four STEM (Science, Technology, Stockland, Visionstream, Wesfarmers. Engineering and Mathematics) female scholars Many of these companies also support workplace • Stockland: two Indigenous scholars giving and match employee donations. • The Fogarty Foundation: two WA scholars The Trustee for the Australian Business and Community • Citi Australia: one LGBTQI scholar Scholarship is registered with the Australian Charities • John Laing: one WA scholar and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). It is endorsed as a tax concession charity (TCC) and as a deductible gift recipient (DGR).

22 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 our partners

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 23 partner schools

ACT Cooerwull Public School Lithgow High School Sir Joseph Banks High School Red Hill Primary School Curran Public School Liverpool Boys High School Smithfield West Public School Richardson Primary School Doonside Technology High School Liverpool Girls High School St Johns Park High School Eagle Vale High School Lurnea High School St Peters Public School Evans High School Matraville Public School Thomas Reddall High School NSW Fairfield High School Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School Wiley Park Girls High School Athelstane Public School Gardeners Road Public School Melrose Park Public School Airds High School Georges River College Oatley Auburn Girls High School NT Senior Campus Miller Technology High School Aurora College Leanyer Primary School Georges River College Penshurst Mitchell High School Bankstown Girls High School Girls Campus Mount Annan High School Bass High School Glenmore Park High School Parramatta North Public School QLD Birrong Girls High School Ashmore Parramatta West Public School Blacktown Boys High School Guildford Public School Balmoral State High School Bonnyrigg High School Bracken Ridge State High School Plumpton High School High School Hoxton Park High School Bray Park State High School Bourke Street Public School Islington Public School Brisbane Bayside State College Punchbowl Boys High School Bringelly Public School James Cook Boys Technology High School Bundamba State Secondary College Kingsgrove North High School Capalaba State College Rooty Hill High School Canterbury Boys High School Kingswood High School Dakabin State High School Rossmore Public School Casula High School Glenala State High School Sarah Redfern High School Ipswich State High School Seven Hills High School

24 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 Keebra Park State High School TAS Kooweerup Secondary College WA Kingston State College Glenorchy Primary School Kurunjang Secondary College Armadale Senior High School Loganlea State High School Invermay Primary School Lalor Secondary College Baldivis Secondary College Lowood State High School Montrose Bay High School Lightning Reef Primary School Balga Senior High School Mabel Park State High School Rosny College Lowanna College Ballajura Community College Marsden State High School Tasman District School McClelland College Beaconsfield Primary School Milpera State High School Melbourne High School Belridge Secondary College Moorooka State School Melton Secondary College VIC Butler College Nerang State High School Mill Park Secondary College Abbotsford Primary School Byford Secondary College Nerang State School Monterey Secondary College Bayside P-12 College Cecil Andrews College Redbank Plains State High School Mooroopna Park Primary School Belle Vue Park Primary School Dianella Primary College Rosewood State High School Mount Ridley College P-12 Bendigo Senior Secondary College Dianella Secondary College Seville Road State School Newhaven College Braybrook College Gilmore College Shailer Park State High School Northern Bay College Bundoora Secondary College Girrawheen Senior High School Toowoomba North State School Richmond Primary School Canadian Lead Primary School Hampton Senior High School Toowoomba State High School Roxburgh College Carwatha College Highgate Primary School Townsville Central State School Seaford Park Primary School Charles La Trobe College John Forrest Secondary College Victoria Point State High School St Albans Secondary College Collingwood English Language School Kelmscott Senior High School West End State School Sunshine Heights Primary School Copperfield College Kiara College Woodridge State High School Sunshine North Primary School Cranbourne Secondary College Lynwood Senior High School Yeronga State High School Thomastown Secondary College Dandenong High School Marri Grove Primary School Victoria University Secondary College Dandenong South Primary School Maylands Peninsula Primary School Wallan Secondary College SA Distance Education Centre Victoria Mount Barker Community College Wantirna College Challa Gardens Primary School Doveton College Nollamara Primary School Warragul Regional College Findon High School Elisabeth Murdoch College Osborne Primary School Westall Secondary College Kilkenny Primary School Epping Secondary College Swan View Senior High School Whittington Primary School Le Fevre High School Fountain Gate Secondary College Thornlie Primary School Wonthaggi Secondary College Ocean View College Gilmore College for Girls Thornlie Senior High School Wooranna Park Primary School Para Hills Primary School Glenroy College Wanneroo Secondary College Wyndham Central College Playford International College Hume Central Secondary College Yallourn North Primary School Plympton Primary School John Fawkner College Seaton High School Keysborough College Woodville High School

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 25 Member companies and business partners

Every year, ABCN works with a growing number of member companies and business partners to deliver our programs. Our Board and Council are comprised of the chief executives and business leaders from each of our member companies. In 2018 we worked with the following companies:

26 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 27 board of directors Financial year 2018

Allegra Spender Jacqui Jones Tony Macvean Helen Zimmerman CEO, ABCN CEO, ABCN Chair, ABCN Chair, ABCN (appointed CEO (resigned CEO 25 August 2017) Managing Partner, General Manager – 30 August 2017) Hall & Wilcox English, Navitas Limited Jacqui was the CEO of ABCN Allegra stepped in to the CEO from July 2013 to August 2017. (appointed Chair (resigned Chair role at ABCN in August 2017. Prior to joining, she held roles at 20 November 2017) 20 November 2017) She studied economics at the Optus and Pearson Education, Tony is the Managing Partner of Helen Zimmerman has worked University of Cambridge and specialising in sales, learning Hall & Wilcox, where he has been in leadership roles in Australian started her career at McKinsey and development and a partner since July 2000. Under public and private education for & Company. She has diverse change management. his leadership, the organisation over 30 years. Prior to joining leadership experience from Jacqui holds a bachelor of has grown to become a pre- Navitas she was Managing within the corporate, non-profit, economics, a master of arts eminent, independent national Director of the ACL Group of private and public sectors, and is in Australian literature and law firm with more than 80 companies and she has served the Chair of Sydney Renewable a diploma of education in partners and 650 employees. on the boards of a number of Power Company. Prior to joining secondary education, all It is particularly recognised for peak professional education ABCN, she was Managing Director from the University of Sydney. its culture and practise of Smarter associations and regulatory of the Australian fashion company Law. Tony’s oversight includes bodies. Helen is a former Carla Zampatti. driving strategy, leading its people, President of the International managing key relationships Education Association of Australia. and clients, and representing She was appointed to the Jobs the firm publicly. Tony won the for NSW Board in December 2015, Managing Partner of the Year appointed Chair of the Tuition at the Australian Law Awards Protection Service Advisory Board in 2015 and 2017 and has been in May 2017, and is a member of recognised in Best Lawyers in the NSW State Advisory Council of Australia in corporate law in CEDA (Committee for Economic 2014, 2015 and 2020. He sits Development of Australia). on the Board of the Committee of Melbourne.

28 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 Sharon Ford Tony Alison Lansley Craig Perrett Luke Sayers, AM Director, Educational Harrington, am Independent Director Independent Director CEO, PwC Australia Leadership, NSW CEO, MinterEllison An experienced business Craig is a co-founder and Executive Luke is the Chief Executive Department of Education Tony was Chief Executive and leader and corporate lawyer, Director of the personal strategic Officer of PwC Australia. Under Sharon is responsible for Hornsby Managing Partner of law firm Alison has a broad range of planning organisation act3, his leadership, PwC Australia is Principal Network, a group of 21 MinterEllison. Prior to this he business, governance, finance, where he acts as an advisor to focused on using the collective principals of primary, secondary was Managing Director of the project management and legal a select group of multi-national expertise of the firm to address and specialist schools – one of fast-growing and innovative skills gained over 35 years. and Australian-based blue-chip important national issues such as which is the first virtual school global investment bank, She was formerly a partner companies. He was formerly tax reform, the future of our cities, of its kind in Australia. Her former Moelis & Company and at Mallesons Stephen Jaques the Melbourne Managing and how we can continue to roles at the NSW Department Global Managing Partner, (now King & Wood Mallesons). Partner of Rogen, an international innovate and thrive as a nation. She is an experienced company management consultancy of Education and Communities Strategy and Transformation at In addition to his work at PwC, director, serving on the boards specialising in training and included responsibility for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Luke has long-term commitments of various for-profit, not-for- consulting in face-to-face business strategic leadership of the where he was also a member of to community organisations and profit and government entities communication. Prior to this he secondary curriculum, vocational PwC’s global executive leadership external Boards. He is currently on in different industries, in had a successful advertising career education and training, programs team. From 2000 to 2008, he the Board of the Carlton Football particular telecommunications, working with some of Australia’s to support youth at risk in NSW was Australian Senior Partner Club and chairs the not-for-profit infrastructure, finance, education largest companies in marketing, government secondary schools, and Chief Executive of PwC organisation e.motion21. He is also and specialised skills development. communication, presentation, and rural and distance education and prior to this he was Deputy a member of Monash University's She has worked with various media issue management and in all NSW government schools. Chairman of Coopers & Lybrand Industry Council of Advisors and government and industry business development. Craig Prior to this, Sharon was a school and National Managing Partner the Victorian branch of the Male agencies, headed the Victorian is also an executive director education director in Western of Taxation Services. In 2011, Champions of Change. Sydney. Between 2003 and Tony was appointed a Member Regional Council of Redkite for of Chief Executive Education, 2009 she was the principal of the Order of Australia (AM) in several years and was a founding a committee of management of Auburn Girls High School, recognition of his charitable work. director of Schools Connect member of Humanitites 21, one of the first schools to be He is a Board member of the Australia, which merged with and is a former director of part of the ABCN program. Brisbane Airport Corporation ABCN in 2016. Schools Connect Australia and and chair of The Australian the AFL Melbourne Football Club. Charities Fund.

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 29 Board of Directors board of directors Meeting Attendance (Financial Year 2018)

Rob Sindel Rachel Stocks This includes all directors in office at any time during the 2018 financial year. Managing Director, CSR (Former) Managing Director, Rob was appointed to the American Express Australia Directors 30/08/17 20/11/17 04/12/18 13/03/18 03/04/18 18/06/18 CSR Board as an executive and New Zealand director in 2010, and appointed Rachel Stocks' leadership Allegra Spender (CEO) (appointed 30/08/17)       Managing Director in 2011. experience led to her Prior to this, he was executive appointment as Managing Jacqui Jones (CEO) NA NA NA NA NA NA general manager of CSR Director for American Express (resigned 25/08/17) Lightweight Systems. He has Australia and New Zealand in extensive experience obtained April 2013. She also led the Tony Macvean (Chair)       from executive management consumer card operation across (appointed 20/11/17) and leadership positions, Australia and New Zealand and gained from his 30-year career is Chair of the American Express Helen Zimmerman   NA NA NA NA in the construction industry Australia Limited Board. Her both in Australia and the United 25-year career with American Kingdom. Rob is a Director of Express began in 1993 in a part- Sharon Ford   A    Orora Limited and the Green time capacity and since then Building Council of Australia, a has spanned a number of roles, Tony Harrington NA A  A  A member of the UNSW Australian including American Express (appointed 30/08/17) School of Business Advisory Interactive, where she drove Council and a member of the digital awareness and online Alison Lansley  A     Yalari advisory business results. In December committee, an organisation 2018 she moved to the US for that works with students from her current role as Executive Craig Perrett    A   indigenous backgrounds. Vice President Global Premium Products and Benefits at Luke Sayers A A    A American Express.

Rob Sindel   A A  

The non-executive directors are drawn from the senior executive management of ABCN member organisations, and other senior Rachel Stocks      A executives from business and education. They are nominated and appointed by the Board.  = Attended A = Absent NA = Not eligible to stand. 30 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 financial information for year ending 30 june 2018

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 31 Financial Information for abcn Year Ending 30 June 2018

Basis of Presentation of Financial Information Income ABCN prepares a financial report in accordance with Total income for the 2018 financial the Corporations Act and relevant accounting standards. This financial report is approved by the Board of Directors year was $2,510,498. and audited by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd. The statutory financial report is lodged with the Australian Charities ABCN’s main source of income is membership fees. and Not-for-Profits Commission and is available for These range up to $65,000 per member depending download there. on the size of the organisation. Total membership fee The financial information contained in this report is income for the 2018 financial year was $1,780,000 drawn from the information used in preparing the compared with $1,662,536 for the 2017 financial year. audited financial report. However, as the full financial Other income in 2018 included $570,900 in combined report contains other details and disclosures, including grants from the following organisations: the basis of preparation of the financial report, reference should be made to audited financial statements before • Accenture Australia placing any reliance on this information. • American Express • Commonwealth Bank of Australia PLEASE NOTE: ABCN operates on a financial year • Ernst & Young basis, but programs are reported on a calendar year • JP Morgan basis to align with the school curriculum. • NBN Therefore, in this report, the programs reflect the 2018 • Optus calendar year (1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018) but the financial information is based on the 2018 financial In addition there were $102,486 of Business Class program year (1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018). fees through a variety of Business Class partners. Interest income for the 2018 financial year was $55,312 compared with $38,773 for 2017.

32 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 Expenditure Basis of Presentation of Financial Information Total expenditure for the 2018 financial The surplus for the financial year to 30 June 2018 was $218,349 compared with $269,334 for the 2017 financial year. The reduction year was $2,292,149. in surplus reflects growth in costs associated with growing our programs with our existing members. We deliberately aimed to increase this program load so that we could benefit more students.

Direct programs 67% 2018 ($) 2017 ($) Grants 15% Surplus for the year 218,349 269,334 Indirect programs 11% Administration 7%

The percentages for each of these main areas of expenditure have remained stable since 2014. Appropriately, direct program expenditure is still the largest component as this includes all aspects of program delivery such as development, delivery, materials, transport, co-ordination, evaluation and reporting. Indirect costs include some facilities, insurance and professional fees, without which ABCN could not continue to delivery programs in schools and member companies. Grant costs cover the distribution of funds from Accenture Australia, American Express, CBA, Ernst & Young, JP Morgan, NBN and Optus. The other costs of delivering the grant outputs are covered in program expenses.

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 33 Financial Information for abcn Year Ending 30 June 2018

Financial Position ABCN continues to be in a strong financial position. A summary of the cash flows in 2017 and 2018 The strong cash and cash are set out below. More details are available in the statutory financial report. equivalent reflects $270,500 of deferred income received in FY2018 for programs running in 2018 ($) 2017 ($) FY2019. The balance sheet of ABCN is similarly strong, having Cash Flows from Operating Activities Total Equity of $2,576,818 at the end of June, 2018. Membership fees 2,107,184 1,828,790 ABCN is endorsed as a tax Grant and Business Class income 673,386 742,842 concession charity (TCC) and as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). Interest income received 55,311 38,773 The company’s constitution prohibits the distribution of any Payments to suppliers & employees (2,213,454) (2,797,177) part of the profits or income or property as dividends or otherwise. Net cash provided by operating activities 622,427 (186,772)

Cash Flows from investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities - -

Net change in cash & cash equivalents held 622,427 (186,772)

Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of financial year 2,308,004 2,494,776

Cash and cash equivalent at end of financial year 2,930,431 2,308,004

34 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 Financial Information for abcn foundation Year Ending 30 June 2018

ABCN Foundation – Profit and Loss The 2018 financial year performed strongly for the ABCN Foundation. Donations came from a variety of sources: ABCN corporate members, philanthropic foundations and individuals. We were pleased to grow our philanthropic donations and intend to focus on this further in future. Corporate donations dropped compared with 2017 but this was expected due to a single, one-off, high-value donation in 2017. Growth in expenses reflected a scaling up of the program, with more scholarships being awarded and the Foundation taking on the full staffing costs of running the program, rather than being subsidised by ABCN as previously.

2018 ($) 2017 ($) income

Bank interest 30,428 15,246

Foundation donations 366,295 469,936

Total Income 396,723 485,182

scholarship awards

Payments to students 132,000 111,000

expenses

Program, management and administration expenses 156,873 126,587

Total Expenses 288,873 237,587

Surplus for the year 107,850 247,595

ABCN Annual Report 2018 • 35 governance statement 2018

The Australian Business and Community Network Council Roles and Responsibilities of the Board (ABCN) is a company limited by guarantee. It is a The organisation’s council is comprised of the chief executives or senior The Board fulfils its primary role of meeting ABCN’s objectives and not-for-profit organisation that partners schools business leaders of each member organisation. The role of the council complying with the relevant Corporations Act requirements through: with business through the development and members is to both facilitate and enable the achievement of ABCN’s • governing, rather than managing, ABCN by ensuring that there is delivery of mentoring programs for students mission and objectives by leveraging their professional networks, profile, reputation, energy, experience and influence to: a proper governance framework in place to promote and protect from high-needs schools. ABCN’s interests for the benefit of its members • serve as a source of independent advice to the Board with regard • setting goals and policies and, specifically, approving ABCN’s Entirely business-funded, ABCN was established in 2005 to ABCN strategy and external relations strategies and strategic plan by a group of senior business leaders whose vision was to • ensure that ABCN remains focused on high impact engagement • monitoring the performance and contribution of Board members inspire, challenge and engage businesses to have a greater • participate personally with ABCN and encourage and inspire other • selecting and regularly evaluating the performance of, positive impact in the community. Today, it is made up of business leaders to commit to joining as ABCN members, thereby and if necessary, replacing the CEO expanding the resources and influence of ABCN in the wider, 40 member companies and business partners – and an • setting standards for proper governance practices (including general community experienced body of CEOs and business leaders from well- appropriate standards of ethical behaviour, corporate governance, recognised, national and global organisations, representing a • raise ABCN’s profile and build its brand and reputation, and and social and environmental responsibility) and monitoring the processes to ensure adherence to these standards breadth of industries. These organisations share a common • engage with schools and the broader community. • selecting, appointing and monitoring the performance belief that a collaborative approach by business can greatly Board Members of the external auditors assist in the improvement of major issues through the • monitoring financial performance and reporting education of young people. As at December 2018, there were seven directors on the Board, including • approval of ABCN’s annual budget the chief executive officer. Other than the chief executive officer, Board Every year, ABCN works with hundreds of public schools members are non-executive directors and receive no remuneration for • approval of ABCN’s annual financial report across Australia to deliver a range of mentoring programs their services. The non-executive directors are drawn from the senior • monitoring key risk areas by ensuring the implementation of a suitable risk management and internal controls framework that focus on enterprise, leadership and foundation skills executive management of ABCN’s member organisations. They are nominated by the ABCN Council and appointed by the chair. • reviewing the adequacy of systems to comply with all laws such as reading and numeracy. All programs are provided and regulations, which apply to ABCN and its programs The company’s constitution specifies: at no cost to the schools or the students. • approval of ABCN’s insurance arrangements, and • there must be no less than three and no more than 12 directors, and • ensuring that all legal and commercial requirements are • directors who have held office for more than three years must retire met in terms of proper reporting and disclosure. Mission and Objectives at the next annual general meeting – such directors, if they are not otherwise ineligible, may stand for re-election. In discharging its role, the Board considers the guidance and advice ABCN’s primary objective is to establish partnerships with schools from of the Council but will not be bound by such guidance and advice. low socio-economic areas and share resources available to businesses The Board’s charter further provides that, unless changed by a majority – including volunteers, expertise and services – with these schools and vote of the directors: their students. Board Oversight • the maximum term for the chair as a director is six years The Board oversees and monitors management’s performance by: Our aim is to improve the opportunities and outcomes for students • the maximum term for other directors is three years from low socio-economic areas by raising aspirations and providing • meeting at least three times per annum • there will be a majority of non-executive directors, and them with the skills and work experiences they require to make sound • receiving detailed financial and other reports from management personal, educational and vocational choices. This is achieved through • the Board will review its size, composition and performance, at these meetings including each director’s performance, annually. structured programs that involve corporate volunteers mentoring • requesting and receiving additional information and input from students in the workplace. management when necessary, and ensuring regular communication between the chair and the CEO.

36 • ABCN Annual Report 2018 contact us

ABCN Head Office  Level 3, 141 York Street, Sydney 2000 PO Box Q394 Sydney 1230  (02) 8988 6850  [email protected]  www.abcn.com.au

CEO Allegra Spender [email protected]

State Manager – NSW Francine Paton [email protected]

Regional Manager – VIC, QLD, WA, SA & TAS Greg George [email protected]

Foundation Manager Rachel Walker [email protected] linkedin.com/company/abcn Head of Partnerships Carolyn Bruce [email protected] @AusBusinessandCommunityNetwork Partnerships Manager Rebecca Edwards [email protected] @ABCNoz

Communications Manager Rose-Anne Manns @ABCNoz [email protected] 'If it wasn't for ABCN, I wouldn't have had the 'It is a profound thing to realise how significant industry insight, or even the motivation and an impact you can have on a person with just a confidence to plan for my future career. I would little bit of effort and attention. I became more love to be a mentor for this program, so that I aware of the kind of person, and the kind of could tell my story and inspire another student.' leader that I want to be, and how to achieve that – simply through mentoring a student.' Sione, St Albans Secondary College Matthew, GOALS mentor

Partner with us [email protected]

Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) ABN 11 114 688 541 PO Box Q394, Sydney, 1230 P 02 8988 6850 www.abcn.com.au