Who are Australian Impact Investments?
Aii was founded in 2014 with the seed of an idea planted by our founding shareholder, Ethinvest. Out of that seed and with a wealth of expertise to inform them, our team has built a market leading asset consultant dedicated to impact. Impact is all we do and all we have ever done.
Take a minute to hear from our founding management team
What we’re all about
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We’re on a mission to transform the paradigm for wealth creation and prove capital can be allocated to empower a better society and healthy planet. We exist to mobilise capital for a better tomorrow, creating positive social and environmental impact alongside financial value. We believe that every investment has an impact and that every dollar of an investment portfolio can be mobilised for a positive impact.
Values in common
Community
We collaborate with all wanting to mobile capital for a better tomorrow and put beneficiaries at the centre of our decision-making.
Excellence
We strive to do our best to deliver services that contribute to the authenticity and development of impact investing.
Courage
We act on our conviction that impact investing is critical to addressing the social and environmental issues of our time.
Humility
We seek, listen to, and learn from the diverse perspectives and insights of others in all aspects of our work and decision-making.
shifted towards impact by our clients… and counting.
Meet the team
Our team of problem solvers and thought leaders have over 100 years of experience in impact and responsible investment and management, values-based portfolio construction, wealth advisory, and commercial and investment banking.
The breadth of experience uniquely positions us to devise your impact investment strategy, assess opportunities and measure, report and manage both financial and impact outcomes.
We have established networks in major global impact investing hubs, including the U.K, U.S, Europe, Southeast Asia, and India, enabling us to draw upon diverse international perspectives to inform domestic strategies and investment decisions.
Our Team
Kylie Charlton
Managing Director
Kylie Charlton
Kylie co-founded Aii in 2014 and has over 15 years of experience at the intersection of capital markets, impact investment, and philanthropy in Australia and internationally. As a Venture Partner of Giant Leap Fund I, co-founder of Unitus Capital, and Investment Committee Chair of the Emerging Markets Impact Investment Fund, Kylie is a pioneer and driving force behind the impact investment sector. Her 11-year commercial and investment banking background laid the foundation for her transition to impact investment.
Phil Webb
Investment Director
Phil Webb
Phil has been an integral part of Ethinvest since 2001. Over the years, he transitioned through various facets of the business, from financial advising to investment management. Phil joined Aii in 2017, leveraging his expertise in crafting and overseeing values-aligned portfolios across diverse clientele, from individuals to philanthropic organisations. He manages the investment team, taking the lead in evaluating impact investment prospects.
Neeraj Aggarwal
Director
Neeraj Aggarwal
Neeraj joined Aii in 2022, bringing a decade of international experience in the impact investment sector. He spearheaded the impact investing platform of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in the United States and led the Rebuild Texas Fund, providing vital disaster relief post-Hurricane Harvey. He transitioned to impact investment after a five-year tenure in investment banking. Neeraj is responsible for client engagement and business development at Aii.
Hugh Driver
Director
Hugh Driver
Hugh joined Aii 2021, bringing a wealth of financial experience and global exposure. With an investment banking career spanning dynamic hubs like Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney, he has extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, deal negotiation, execution, and credit risk. Hugh’s core mission now lies in meticulously assessing impact investment opportunities as a member of the investment team.
James Perrin
Senior Associate (ESG)
James Perrin
James, a chemical and environmental engineer, brings a unique skill set to impact investing. With a background in sustainability, innovation, not-for-profit governance, and community engagement across Australia and New Zealand, James’ work has ranged from project managing environmental engineering installations, co-founding a Northern Rivers-based charitable foundation, and advising conscious businesses and B-Corps in Australia. In 2023, he joined Aii to lead public markets and responsible investment initiatives.
Caitlin James
Associate
Caitlin James
Caitlin joined Ethinvest while finalising a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. In 2018, she transitioned to Aii after graduation and has worked across various elements of the business since then, including investment due diligence, public markets analysis and client engagement. Now, she provides impact reporting and analysis through the annual impact report, provides administrative support, engages with clients, and participates in business development.
Sriya Nandivada
Analyst
Sriya Nandivada
Sriya joined Aii in 2024, bringing her knowledge and experience from her studies and work in financial analysis, and her recently completed Master of Commerce at UNSW, specialising in Finance and Financial Technology.
Investment Committee
Ross Knowles
Ethinvest Chair
Ross Knowles
Ross is Chair of Ethinvest and was its co-founder in 1989. He was the founding co-president of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, and was editor of the book Ethical Investment (CHOICE Books 1997). Ross is a keen environmentalist and has played a part in the protection of some significant Australian wilderness areas including Washpool National Park on the northern ranges of NSW and Yengo National Park north of Sydney. He has also discovered three new species of Australian frog, two of which are on the endangered species list. He is a Trustee of a number of charitable foundations (PAF’s) including the Ethinvest Foundation, which are all dedicated to addressing environmental issues.
Trevor Thomas
Ethinvest Managing Director
Trevor Thomas
Trevor joined Ethinvest in 1997. He has been the Managing Director since 2008. Prior to joining Ethinvest, Trevor spent six years in South America working in economic development. Trevor started his career as an economist for one of Australia’s major banks as well as AP Dow Jones Telerate. He holds an Economics degree from Sydney University and an MBA from Eastern University in Philadelphia. In 2003, Trevor became a Certified Financial Planner.
Apart from his work at Ethinvest, Trevor is also a trustee of various philanthropic organisations including the John T Reid Charitable Trusts, the Ethinvest Foundation and the Community Impact Foundation. Trevor is passionate about global justice and advocacy, having served on the staff and board of Tearfund Australia. He is currently Chair of Micah Australia, and on the board of the Darwin Challenge and the Bowerbird Collective.