Empowered people and communities.
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Inspired by the ambition that every person has the opportunity to shape their future and chase their goals
Founded by the Bangarra Family Office, the Bennelong Foundation and the Bennelong Foundation UK are the philanthropic arms of the Bangarra Group.
In addition to financial grants and investments, we leverage the assets, time and expertise of the Group to connect business and philanthropy, build social impact leadership and cultivate a culture of giving.
Ambition
Every person has the opportunity to shape their future and chase their goals.
Aim
To increase pathways to economic empowerment and social cohesion.
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What our Foundation funds
Initiatives that open education and employment pathways
The development of community sport as a pathway to social cohesion and cultural connection
What our Foundation invests in
Building capabilities of social sector leaders
Cultivating giving among employees of the Bangarra Group
Responsible and impact investments from our corpus
Networking to deepen links between business and philanthropy
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Inspired by the ambition that every person has the opportunity to shape their future and chase their goals
Founded by the Bangarra Family Office, the Bennelong Foundation UK and the Bennelong Foundation Australia are the philanthropic arms of the Bangarra Group.
In addition to financial grants and investments, we leverage the assets, time and expertise of the Group to connect business and philanthropy, build social impact leadership and cultivate a culture of giving.
Ambition
Every person has the opportunity to shape their future and chase their goals.
Aim
Increase pathways to social inclusion.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629ccb4a02c659fde4eadb5/66a0ebf57b098a2684716e68_2Y4A5373.jpg)
What our UK Foundation funds
Creating opportunities for new arrivals to the UK who are experiencing hardship
Creating opportunities for families facing barriers to accessing food and education
What our UK Foundation invests in
Networking to deepen links between business and philanthropy
Cultivating giving among employees of the Bangarra Group
Responsible investments
Impact investments
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A journey of impact
Our people
Meet the people responsible for governing and managing our Foundations.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664ade9ee9b7edb808f15501_Mark-Burgess.webp)
Mark is a CFA® charterholder with more than 36 years of experience in the financial services industry in Australia, London and New York.
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Scott has 40 years of experience in the property industry, including funds management and property development.
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Carena Shankar is Co-founder and Chairperson of the Bennelong Foundation and founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
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Jeff is the founding Chairman of the Bennelong Foundation and a founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
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Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
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Maurice joined the Bennelong Foundation UK as Trustee in 2022. He is also Trustee of the NGOs Migrant Voice and the European Network on Statelessness.
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Kelly Chapman is a Non-Executive Director of the Bennelong Foundation and of the Bangarra Family Office.
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Christine Fleer joined the Bennelong Foundation as Non-Executive Director in 2019.
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Phil is a Non-Executive Director of the Bangarra Family Office and the Bennelong Foundation.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66408779ecd765815ce5cabb_Liem%20headshot_2_edited.webp)
Liem joined the Bennelong Foundation in 2022 as Grants Manager. Prior to this, he was a technology consultant for startups, corporates and not for profits.
The Foundation is governed by an experienced Board of Directors working with selected key advisers.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/6640847ec3b7eac1f66900c1_Carena%20Shankar.webp)
Carena Shankar is Co-founder and Chairperson of the Bennelong Foundation and founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085a8fb4c1428719dfd8c_6c3e92_8181d8827959447287fa57a236882359~mv2_d_2675_4012_s_4_2.webp)
Jeff is the founding Chairman of the Bennelong Foundation and a founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
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Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
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Kelly Chapman is a Non-Executive Director of the Bennelong Foundation and of the Bangarra Family Office.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66408681c3b7eac1f66b18c7_Christine-Fleer%252520-%252520portrait_edite.webp)
Christine Fleer joined the Bennelong Foundation as Non-Executive Director in 2019.
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Phil is a Non-Executive Director of the Bangarra Family Office and the Bennelong Foundation.
The day-to-day activities of the Foundation are managed by our experienced employees.
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Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66408779ecd765815ce5cabb_Liem%20headshot_2_edited.webp)
Liem joined the Bennelong Foundation in 2022 as Grants Manager. Prior to this, he was a technology consultant for startups, corporates and not for profits.
The Philanthropy and Community Engagement (PACE) Committee comprises employees of the Bangarra Group. It works with the Management Team to cultivate a culture of giving across the Group.
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Elaine enjoys combining her administrative knowledge with her involvement in supporting the work of the Bennelong Foundation.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664adbdfc2b9ce42b9819a24_Peter-Aquilina.webp)
15 years of experience investing in and managing infrastructure asset companies.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664adbc9c17c37ffdc4ed128_Jeff-Phillips.webp)
Jeff has 24 years of experience in financial services.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664add1a22a83156b72a9953_Dave-Whitby.webp)
David has more than 20 years of funds management industry experience.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664adcf104f193cf1eee5cb1_Jodie-Saw.webp)
Jodie joined Bennelong Funds Management in 2013 and has more than 25 years' experience in the financial services industry.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664adc484ea55249c224e46e_Stu-Fechner.webp)
Stuart is responsible for managing research house and asset consultant relationships at Bennelong Funds Management.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664adb27736c04a2fd039019_Scott-Lillingston.webp)
Scott has more than 23 years' experience in funds management. At BFM, he is responsible for the compliance and risk management framework and AFSL.
The performance of the Foundation's assets are overseen by our expert investment advisers.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664ade9ee9b7edb808f15501_Mark-Burgess.webp)
Mark is a CFA® charterholder with more than 36 years of experience in the financial services industry in Australia, London and New York.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66693db9babc6844fe053c3f_Scott%20.webp)
Scott has 40 years of experience in the property industry, including funds management and property development.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085e050c4843cdba842be_PXL_20230927_073228142_edited.webp)
Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
Meet our people.
Meet the people responsible for governing and managing our Foundations.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664ade9ee9b7edb808f15501_Mark-Burgess.webp)
Mark is a CFA® charterholder with more than 36 years of experience in the financial services industry in Australia, London and New York.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66693db9babc6844fe053c3f_Scott%20.webp)
Scott has 40 years of experience in the property industry, including funds management and property development.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/6640847ec3b7eac1f66900c1_Carena%20Shankar.webp)
Carena Shankar is Co-founder and Chairperson of the Bennelong Foundation and founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085a8fb4c1428719dfd8c_6c3e92_8181d8827959447287fa57a236882359~mv2_d_2675_4012_s_4_2.webp)
Jeff is the founding Chairman of the Bennelong Foundation and a founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085e050c4843cdba842be_PXL_20230927_073228142_edited.webp)
Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664ae0256f79a833e696eedc_Maurice%20Wren%20temp%20photo.webp)
Maurice joined the Bennelong Foundation UK as Trustee in 2022. He is also Trustee of the NGOs Migrant Voice and the European Network on Statelessness.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664084f6fb4c1428719d7473_160224-223226.webp)
Kelly Chapman is a Non-Executive Director of the Bennelong Foundation and of the Bangarra Family Office.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66408681c3b7eac1f66b18c7_Christine-Fleer%252520-%252520portrait_edite.webp)
Christine Fleer joined the Bennelong Foundation as Non-Executive Director in 2019.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664087635f71df6be5764ff1_6c3e92_4f7c017ff4594db08d985413eebb8dbb~mv2.webp)
Phil is a Non-Executive Director of the Bangarra Family Office and the Bennelong Foundation.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/66408779ecd765815ce5cabb_Liem%20headshot_2_edited.webp)
Liem joined the Bennelong Foundation in 2022 as Grants Manager. Prior to this, he was a technology consultant for startups, corporates and not for profits.
The Foundation is governed by an experienced Board of Trustees working with selected key advisers.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/6640847ec3b7eac1f66900c1_Carena%20Shankar.webp)
Carena Shankar is Co-founder and Chairperson of the Bennelong Foundation and founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085a8fb4c1428719dfd8c_6c3e92_8181d8827959447287fa57a236882359~mv2_d_2675_4012_s_4_2.webp)
Jeff is the founding Chairman of the Bennelong Foundation and a founding Trustee of the Bennelong Foundation UK.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664ae0256f79a833e696eedc_Maurice%20Wren%20temp%20photo.webp)
Maurice joined the Bennelong Foundation UK as Trustee in 2022. He is also Trustee of the NGOs Migrant Voice and the European Network on Statelessness.
The day-to-day activities of the Foundation are managed by our experienced employee.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629e7180013484b18157f1d/664085e050c4843cdba842be_PXL_20230927_073228142_edited.webp)
Laura Cochrane joined the Bennelong Foundation as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, she led National Australia Bank’s philanthropic portfolio.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Since inception, the Bennelong Foundation and the Bangarra Family Office have had deep respect for First Nations peoples. In 2019 the Group made a commitment to continuous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training to improve our knowledge and increase our capacity to work safely, respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities. We were introduced on a deeper level to the world of Indigenous histories and cultures, ways of being and the impacts of colonisation on the local communities where we work.
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Reconciliation Action Plan
In 2022, the Bennelong Foundation and the Bangarra Family Office decided to make a formal and structured commitment to our vision of reconciliation through the development of our first Reconciliation Action Plan.
RAP artwork
The Bennelong Foundation collaborated with grant partner Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation, Maclean Public School students and Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker to create the artwork for the Bennelong Foundation and the Bangarra Family Office Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The artwork was created through a workshop held during the 2022 Reconciliation Week. Students talked about what reconciliation means and what role a RAP plays within businesses. The workshop process allowed the students to explore cultural art and intellectual property rights of culture, and the importance of consultation with community members.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6629ccb4a02c659fde4eadb5/662cb54ac197518b9c9779a9_71.%20Mudyala.webp)
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Annual and Chair's reports.
Andrew Westacott
Executive Chairman, Bangarra Group