We’re united in the view that passionate, talented, hard working analysts can make a difference to the protection and enhancement of investors’ ownership rights.

About Us

Ownership Matters was formed in 2011, bringing together the talents of Dean Paatsch, Martin Lawrence & Simon Connal who established, and worked together in the Melbourne office of ISS Governance Services. They were joined by Jessica Wallace and Maria Rubleva in 2013 and then in 2014 by Theresa Bowden and Peter Wuchatsch. Most recently, the team has expanded to include the talent of Alyssa Thai and James Samson.

Most recently, Mickey Mordech joined the Ownership Matters team being appointed in 2023.

We are a commercially savvy governance advisory service for institutional investors based on local insight and years of corporate memory. Together, we have more than 20 years of experience in Australian governance research, analysis and proxy voting advice.

Our track record in identifying governance risk in Australian companies and the capital markets more broadly is well known.

This is what drives us:

Market integrity

We believe that capital markets should be fair and transparent, working in the best interests of all shareholders, not just a few privileged insiders. Where we observe structural governance flaws, we will shine a spotlight on them and advocate for change.

Accountability

Companies are run for the benefit of shareholders, not management or the board. We help our clients identify the risks of poor governance and hold boards and management teams accountable for their performance.

Independence

We work for institutional investors, but we are not beholden to the interests of capital markets participants. Our only agenda is ensuring that owners’ interests are being served not only by the companies in which they invest, but also by markets more broadly.

Engagement

We meet with boards and management to discuss governance concerns at any time. There are no blackout periods – our door is always open.

Commercial reality

We are pragmatists and understand that our clients are driven by commercial imperatives, not governance ideals or theories. Our job is to ensure that clients understand the governance risks that have the potential to affect their investments. We provide commercial advice in this context.