Mutual Trust, one of Australia’s oldest family offices overseeing the assets of the Baillieu and Myer families, has expanded its national leadership ranks with the appointment of two new Partners.
Joining the Melbourne-headquartered firm are Kirsten Taylor-Martin from accounting group, Grant Thornton and Claire van Malland from Big Four consulting firm, Ernst & Young (EY). Mutual Trust said on Thursday that Taylor-Martin will be based in Sydney, while van Malland will work from the firm’s Adelaide office.
An accredited adviser with Family Business Australia and the Family Firm Institute, Taylor-Martin boasts more than three decades of experience advising family businesses and family offices.
At Grant Thornton, she was Partner and National Head of Family Business & Family Office Consulting, responsible for thought leadership initiatives, including the production of the biennial Family Business Survey.
“Kirsten’s appointment strengthens our Sydney team and supports the continued growth of our national Family Office Advisory offering,” Jeff Steiner, Head of Family Office Advisory at Mutual Trust, said.
Van Malland brings nearly two decades of tax experience and will lead Mutual Trust’s South Australian Tax & Accounting practice, advising privately owned and high-net-worth groups on complex tax matters.
At EY, she led the Adelaide Fringe Benefits Tax practice and supported clients through ATO reviews and audits, including matters under the tax office’s Next 5,000 program.
“We are excited to welcome Claire to Mutual Trust. Claire brings a wealth of expertise and a strong client-focused approach, and we look forward to the contribution she will make to our national team,” Andrew Wood, Partner and Head of Tax, Accounting, Consulting & Superannuation at Mutual Trust, said.
Mutual Trust’s CEO and Managing Partner, Phil Harkness said the appointments reflected the firm’s continued growth and momentum.
“As Mutual Trust continues to grow, attracting and developing exceptional talent remains a key priority, and we are delighted to welcome both Kirsten and Claire to the firm,” he said.
