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The Protect Board of Directors

Governed by a Trust Deed and the regulation of the Australian Taxation Office, the Protect Board of Directors comprises independent representation, and nominees of the Victorian branches of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and National Electrical & Communications Association (NECA).

The Protect Board meets regularly to review the scheme’s operations, in consultation with external investment, legal and accounting experts. This ensures a responsible and balanced approach to both investment and the future direction of the scheme. The Protect Board and staff are committed to pursuing a wide range of initiatives to improve the benefits and operations of the scheme for both employers and workers.

Mark Engeman

Mark Engeman

Independent Director / Protect Chair

Mark Engeman's background is in financial markets. He was appointed to the Protect Board as an Independent Director in April 2019 and became Board Chairman on 1 September 2023. Mark is also Chair of Protect's Investment and Finance Committee and until 30 August 2023 was on Protect's Audit and Risk Committee.

Mark’s experience comes from a range of financial market and technology roles with CRA Limited, State Bank Victoria, Australian Wheat Board and SunGard data systems. Most recently he was the Deputy Managing Director and Corporation Secretary at Treasury Corporation Victoria.

Holding both a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, Mark is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (GAIST) and a CPA.

Sue Carter

Sue Carter

Independent Director

Sue joined the Board in February 2016 and in October 2019 took over as Board Chair. After four years in the role, Sue stepped aside as Chair and remains on the Protect Board as an Independent Director. From 1 September 2023 Sue became the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

A Chartered Accountant, Sue previously worked with KPMG in the UK and at ANZ Funds Management in senior finance roles. She is a past ASIC Regional Commissioner for Victoria and past director of several companies including the Professional Indemnity Insurance Company Australia, Aware Super, ANZ Australian Staff Superannuation and Treasury Corporation of Victoria.

Sue is currently a director of the Medical Indemnity Protection Society and Odyssey House Victoria. Sue is a past Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Director’s Course facilitator in directors’ duties, financial reporting, decision-making and Board processes.

A Fellow of the AICD (FAICD), Sue holds a Masters Degree in Organisation Psychology from RMIT and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.

Danny Filazzola

Danny Filazzola

ETU Representative

Danny was appointed to the Protect Board in October 2017, the same year he was elected President of the Electrical Trade Union Victorian Branch. Previously a shop steward, Training Officer and Organiser, Danny chairs the ETU State Council and serves as a Divisional and National Councillor. Danny sits on the ETU FARR (The Finance, Audit, Risk and Remuneration) Committee and is a Director and Principal Officer of the Centre For U.

Additionally, Danny is the Joint Chair of Future Energy Skills a not-for-profit industry led organisation serving and working in partnership with Victoria’s electro-technology, electricity generation and supply, gas supply and new energy technology sectors. He also sits on several State Government Committees.

Ivan Balta

Ivan Balta

ETU Representative

Appointed to the Protect Board in March 2023, Ivan has over 35 years of experience in the electrical industry. In 2006 Ivan became a Branch Organiser with the ETU Victorian Branch representing electrical workers in the contracting industry sector. In 2015, Ivan was appointed as Assistant Secretary where he organised in the CBD and Docklands - areas that have the highest concentration of large-scale developments in Victoria. Ivan now heads up the new infrastructure division which oversees all the major projects in Victoria worth billions of dollars.

Ivan is a qualified company Director and is a member of the ETU VIC Finance & Risk Committee and serves as a Divisional Councillor.

Graeme Watson

Graeme Watson

ETU Representative

Appointed to the Protect Board in February 2021, Graeme has over 50 years industry experience in Australian and International electricity sectors and competency-based training standards. Graeme is a qualified company Director.

As a Lineworker delegate Graeme was elected as a ETUVIC State Organiser and Councillor in 1978. He was Managing Director of the union owned training and development business from 1999 then re-elected onto State Council in early 2000’s, State Executive in 2010 then Treasurer in 2012. Graeme is a member of the ETUVIC Finance & Risk Committee and a Director for the Centre for U.

Mike Purnell

Mike Purnell

NECA Representative

Mike was appointed as a Director of Protect in July 2015. He is a NECA Councillor and a Life Member of the NECA Victorian Branch.

As a Director, Mike currently serves on several Boards in the commercial and not-for-profit environment. He is an experienced Director, General Manager, Regional Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Advisor. Much of that experience was as a General Manager in the electrical contracting industry with Nilsen (Vic) for 13 years. He has a finance/accounting background being a CPA and is a member of the Australian Society of Accountants and Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Stewart Joyce

Stewart Joyce

NECA Representative

Stewart joined the Protect Board in March 2024. He has over 35 years’ experience in electrical and mechanical industries, working in not for profit, private and publicly listed ASX business environments. He holds a technical A grade electrical licence in addition to MBA business qualifications.

CEO and Company Secretary

The CEO and Company Secretary attend all Board and Committee meetings

Michael Connolly

Michael Connolly

Chief Executive Officer

Appointed in April 2017, Michael has extensive experience in the worker entitlements industry, having previously been Company Secretary and Manager Corporate Strategy of CoINVEST Ltd for over a decade.

His experience covers corporate governance, strategy and information technology including leadership of several major projects.

Michael has previously held a management role in the finance team of an international manufacturer and has also worked in the investment industry.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Selene Sharp

Selene Sharp

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary

Selene joined Protect in January 2010 when Protect’s administration was brought in house. Selene holds a Bachelor of Business and is a Chartered Accountant. Prior to working at Protect, Selene worked for two of Australia’s top accounting firms achieving the level of Client Director.

Selene was appointed Company Secretary on 14 March 2017.