The Big Issue

Sonya Clancy

Chairman, The Big Issue
Former General Manager - Human Resources Australia – ANZ Banking Group

Sonya was appointed General Manager Human Resources for ANZ Banking Group in 2005 where she held responsibilities for up to 44,000 employees. Leading the Human Resources and Communications for the Australia Division, Sonya also held the concurrent positions of General Manager Marketing and Group General Manager Culture between 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 respectively.

Sonya has been Chairman of the Board for The Big Issue since 2005 and was also Chairman of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, hosted by The Big Issue.

Randal Mathieson

State Director Victoria, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Randal has been with the ABC since 1993. He was appointed to the role of Director Victoria in 2006. During his time with the national broadcaster, he has held a number of senior roles in the Radio Division including Head of ABC Radio Marketing.

He has a Masters of Business (Marketing) at RMIT University and is a Board Director for Open Gardens Australia.

He is the current Co-Chair of the Sturt Street Arts Precinct Forum – a collective comprising the major cultural institutions in Southbank working towards the development of a vibrant Arts Precinct for Melbourne.

Randal has been on The Big Issue Board since 2003 and was also a Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, hosted by The Big Issue.

Jonathon Mant

Director, Investment Banking, UBS AG, Australia Branch

Jonathon is an Executive Director at UBS Investment Bank in Melbourne, providing financial and strategic advice across a range of industries with a focus on mergers & acquisitions and complex situations.

Previously, he was a Senior Associate in the corporate and commercial team at Allens Arthur Robinson and seconded to the Australian Takeovers Panel.

Jonathon is active in a range of community organisations, including Chairman of the Alfred Deakin Lecture Trust.

Jonathon has been on The Big Issue Board since 2005.

Wendy Fromhold

General Manager Corporate Services, National Stroke Foundation

Wendy has over 20 years of experience in not-for-profit organisations, with the majority of these organisations being focused on providing health and community support services for people and communities who are marginalised.

Wendy has spent the past 10 years in senior management roles in regional and national organisations, with roles covering management of services, developing models of care, managing restructures and business and strategic management.

Wendy has been on The Big Issue Board since 2004.

Nicholas Reece

Public Policy Fellow, University of Melbourne

Nick is a Public Policy Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Nick has a background in public administration, law, finance and journalism having previously worked as Director of Strategy, Office of the Prime Minister, an adviser to two Victorian Premiers, a solicitor with national law firm Maurice Blackburn and as a journalist with the Australian Financial Review.

He has been on The Big Issue Board since 2006 and was also a Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, hosted by The Big Issue.

Paul Kearney

Principal, Kearney Group Financial Services

Paul is founder and CEO of the multi-award winning professional financial services firm Kearney Group.

In 1986, Kearney & Co began providing specialist accounting, taxation and strategic business advice. Twelve years later, Kearney Financial Planning was born. In 2011, the firm was named National Practice of the Year at the 25th annual Securitor Convention in Singapore.

Paul has been on The Big Issue Board since 2007.

Adam Brooks

Partner, Herbert Geer

Adam is a corporate advisory and mergers and acquisitions lawyer. He is a partner at Herbert Geer, and head of their corporate group.

Adam holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from Melbourne University, a Master of Law from Monash, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (from Finsia).

Adam has been on The Big Issue Board since 2009 and was also a Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, hosted by The Big Issue.

Steven Persson

Chief Executive Officer, The Big Issue

Steven, a social entrepreneur, has worked in the non-government organisation sector for more than 30 years and holds a qualification in education for the disabled. He has held the position of CEO for a number of medium to large not-for-profit organisations providing services such as housing, employment, personal care and case management across a wide range of social needs.

Steven also has vast experience in the profit sector, running his own business for several years.

Steven has been the CEO of The Big Issue since 2005 and was also the Executive Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, hosted by The Big Issue.

Graeme Wise (Patron)

Executive Chairman, The Body Shop

Graeme Wise is the Founder and Patron of The Big Issue magazine in Australia, Chairman of Monash Institute of Medical Research Advisory Board, and past Director of Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Prahran Mission and Philanthropy Australia. Graeme is also the Chairman of The Adidem Group, which comprises The Body Shop, a long-standing supporter of The Big Issue.

Graeme's business philosophies revolve around the humanising of business, which extends to ensuring that each business has a responsibility to put back into the society in which it operates.