Welcome our new CEO and Chair

Craig Bell joins as Chief Executive Officer

The CoINVEST Board of Directors has appointed Craig Bell as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 20 September 2021. After more than 25 years with John Hartley at the helm, CoINVEST started its search for a new CEO in May of this year.

Craig has over 30 years in finance related roles, across a variety of industries including investment banking, state government, and member-based organisations.  He is also the Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Most recently, Craig was the CEO at Foresters Financial, one of Australia’s largest member-owned friendly societies that offers a range of investment and insurance products.  Prior to this, Craig was the CFO for the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Craig is passionate about creating member-centric organisations. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Craig is excited to lead CoINVEST and is looking forward to expanding on ways in which we can deliver further value for our members.

We welcome Craig to the Team and look forward to his leadership of CoINVEST into the future.

Jenny Acton joins as Director and Board Chair

Jenny Acton will be appointed as an Independent Director and Chair of the CoINVEST Board on 1 October 2021, following the completion of Kate Spargo’s term as Chair.

As a long-standing Board Chair and Non-Executive Director at other organisations, Jenny comes to CoINVEST with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Jenny has relevant expertise in sound governance, remuneration, corporate culture, and ethical and evidence-based decision-making from her experience in finance, logistics, ports, transport, water and education industries.

She holds Bachelor and Masters degree in Economics, as well as Law, and was awarded the Supreme Court Prize in Law.   Jenny is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and has been accredited as a mediator under the Australian National Mediator Standards.

We welcome Jenny as Chair of the Board of Directors at a very exciting time for CoINVEST.