Why we exist
Our Purpose
Mutual Trust Purpose
Our Purpose is to help families achieve what matters most.
We pride ourselves on:
- Caring for our families, our people and communities, not just their finances
- Delivering what they require under one roof
- Providing pre-eminent independent advice
- Enabling our families to have a positive impact on society
We do this with people who are excellent, heartfelt, inspiring and principled.
In doing so, we will be the exceptional Multi-Family Office.
Our values
At Mutual Trust we are:
Excellent
- Do work of the highest standard
- Anticipate future needs
- Seek better outcomes
- Continuously grow our expertise
Inspiring
- Encourage the best in each other
- Create a great place to work
- Are proud of our families and their heritage
- Look to the future and lead with purpose
Heartfelt
- Are genuine and understand you
- Care about what matters to you
- Ensure you feel at home
- Build longstanding relationships of mutual trust
Principled
- Act with honesty and integrity
- Are discreet
- Provide thoughtful challenge
- Work on the basis of mutual respect
Our heritage
Initially founded in 1921 by W.L. Baillieu and his siblings as a vehicle to provide accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family, we have grown and evolved over the years to meet the needs of a changing world. In 2017, following the union of Mutual Trust and The Myer Family Company Limited, Australia’s largest Multi-Family Office was formed.
Today, Mutual Trust has over 200 employees and four offices nationally and is the trusted partner to several hundred of Australia’s wealthiest families and individuals.
Emma Lawrence Baillieu
1838 – 1908
Emma Lawrence Baillieu (nee Pow) was the rock on which the Baillieu family was established in Australia.
Born in England, Emma arrived in Australia in 1853 onboard the migrant vessel “Australia”. Aged 19, she was one of 400 young women on a three-month assisted passage. Within three months of her arrival, Emma was married to James George Baillieu.
Together, Emma and James raised 12 children (nine sons, of which William Lawrence Baillieu was the second, and three surviving daughters).
Emma’s influence was particularly felt in the way she supported and guided her family members, helping to shape their roles in society .
William Lawrence Baillieu
1859–1936
William Lawrence Baillieu, known as W.L., was born in Queenscliff, Victoria and was known as a builder of businesses and a constructor of new industries.
W.L. founded the Collins House group, which dominated Australian mining; had significant interests in metals processing, manufacturing, finance, newspapers and brewing; and he played a central role in the rise of many successful companies.
In 1918 in the wake of the Great War, he and his siblings gifted wealth and property to support returning soldiers, setting up the Anzac House hospital for disabled veterans in Melbourne.
Sidney Myer
1878–1934
Sidney Myer (1878–1934) was one of the most visionary and generous entrepreneurs Australia has known. After arriving from Russia in 1899, Sidney built a business empire that is still a household name today.
Sidney and his wife Dame Merlyn Myer dedicated themselves to ensuring that future generations could take part in the opportunities created by their wealth.
As a child he was firmly educated by his parents in the importance of community and giving generously to those less fortunate. Later in life he would become renowned as an incredible visionary for philanthropy in Australia. Notable among his initiatives was the gift of Christmas dinner for 11,000 people at Melbourne’s Exhibition Building in 1930 during the Great Depression. A year later, he helped fund jobs for 1,000 married men by enabling the construction of the Yarra Boulevard.
Dame Merlyn Myer née Baillieu
1900–1982
Dame Merlyn Myer née Baillieu (1900–1982) was the matriarch of the Myer family. Merlyn was a noted philanthropist, Board member and champion for the well-being of women.
After the untimely death of her husband, Sidney Myer, Merlyn plunged herself into the Myer Emporium and charitable work, administering the Sidney Myer Charitable Trust which financed the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, amongst many other projects.
For more than four decades, Merlyn was a very active Board member of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and made susbstantial donations to it during her lifetime. In 1954 she was made an honorary life governor.
Merlyn was a member of the national council of the Australian Red Cross Society from 1937-47 and was appointed OBE for her work during the war. She was an active fundraiser for cancer and heart disease research and was a member or patron of a host of other community welfare organisations. In 1960 she was promoted to DBE for her philanthropy.
Today, Mutual Trust honours Merlyn through Merlyn’s Circle, a deliberate suite of events and engagements, providing opportunities for our families to connect and celebrate the important role women play in building economies, communities and enduring family legacies.
Timeline
1858
The Baillieu family migrates to Australia
1859
William Lawrence (W.L.) Baillieu (1859 – 1936)
1878
Sidney Myer (1878-1934)
1900
Dame Merlyn Myer DBE (nee Baillieu) (1900 – 1982)
Dame Merlyn Myer was passionate about family, a noted philanthropist, board member and champion for the well-being of women. Charming, dignified, generous and always stylishy dressed, Merlyn was one of Melbourne’s ‘grand ladies’.
Dame Merlyn Myer was passionate about family, a noted philanthropist, board member and champion for the well-being of women. Charming, dignified, generous and always stylishy dressed, Merlyn was one of Melbourne’s ‘grand ladies’.
1920
Sidney Myer & Merlyn Baillieu are married
1921
Mutual Trust is established by W.L.
The first record of Mutual Trust as a formal entity was made on 30 December, establishing a vehicle to provide tax, accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family.
The first record of Mutual Trust as a formal entity was made on 30 December, establishing a vehicle to provide tax, accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family.
1934
The Sidney Myer Fund is established
Upon Sidney’s death in 1934, the Sidney Myer Fund was established. Sidney had left a portion of his estate to be invested for the benefit of the community.
Upon Sidney’s death in 1934, the Sidney Myer Fund was established. Sidney had left a portion of his estate to be invested for the benefit of the community.
1951
Mutual Trust is incorporated
1958
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is constructed
The Myer family’s giving philosophy continues, with the design and construction of the Myer Music Bowl sponsored by the Sidney Myer Fund. Across generations, Myer family members have led many philanthropic initiatives including the Howard Florey Institute and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
The Myer family’s giving philosophy continues, with the design and construction of the Myer Music Bowl sponsored by the Sidney Myer Fund. Across generations, Myer family members have led many philanthropic initiatives including the Howard Florey Institute and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
1959
The Myer Foundation is created
Established by Sidney Myer’s children to continue the family’s philanthropic legacy, the Myer Foundation has since delivered thousands of community grants and funded the development of iconic institutions.
Established by Sidney Myer’s children to continue the family’s philanthropic legacy, the Myer Foundation has since delivered thousands of community grants and funded the development of iconic institutions.
1959
The Baillieu Library is named
The Baillieu Library at University of Melbourne was named in recognition of substantial bequest by Edward Lyoyd Morgan Baillieu Trust. The Baillieu family continues to support philanthropic endeavours in education and the arts.
The Baillieu Library at University of Melbourne was named in recognition of substantial bequest by Edward Lyoyd Morgan Baillieu Trust. The Baillieu family continues to support philanthropic endeavours in education and the arts.
1973
The Myer Family Office is established
1980
Expands to become a Multi-Family Office
Across the 1980s, Mutual Trust begins expanding its service beyond the Baillieu family to include friends and acquaintances.
In the 1990s, MFCo welcomed new families to become a Multi-Family Office
Across the 1980s, Mutual Trust begins expanding its service beyond the Baillieu family to include friends and acquaintances.
In the 1990s, MFCo welcomed new families to become a Multi-Family Office
2004
A sophisticated wealth offering
Mutual Trust obtains an AFS Licence
Mutual Trust obtains an AFS Licence
2006
Mutual Trust expands to Sydney
2006
Merges with McInnes, Graham & Gibbs (MGG)
2011
Mutual Trust expands to Perth
2011
Begins serving Traditional Owners as the Trustee for Charitable and Direct Benefit Indigenous Trusts
2011
Merges with Dominion Private Clients (DPC)
2015
Mutual Trust Foundation and Staff Giving Program are established
In 2015, the Mutual Trust Foundation was established to offer a platform for families and individuals to support the causes they are passionate about, whilst also joining a community of givers who share their interest in philanthropy.
That same year, MFCo staff were given the opportunity to build on the Myer family’s legacy of philanthropy and giving to the community. Today, our people continue to come together voluntarily to give their time, treasure and talent to support their philanthropic ideals.
In 2015, the Mutual Trust Foundation was established to offer a platform for families and individuals to support the causes they are passionate about, whilst also joining a community of givers who share their interest in philanthropy.
That same year, MFCo staff were given the opportunity to build on the Myer family’s legacy of philanthropy and giving to the community. Today, our people continue to come together voluntarily to give their time, treasure and talent to support their philanthropic ideals.
2017
MFCo and Mutual Trust unite
2019
Mutual Trust expands to Adelaide
2021
Mutual Trust celebrates its 100 year milestone
2021
Acquires Reynolds Advisory
2021
The Development of our RAP expresses our ambition to advance Mutual Trust’s reconciliation journey
2024
Mutual Trust merges with CMS Private Advisory
Today
Mutual Trust provides Multi-Family Office services across 4 offices and helps some of Australia’s wealthiest families achieve what matters most
