Mutual Trust Pty Ltd

Overview

Mutual Trust brings together family office advisory, wealth, tax, accounting, consulting, superannuation, agribusiness, philanthropy, family succession and trustee services, property services, and Indigenous trusts. The firm reports more than 230 employees across five offices nationally.²

Its wealth offering includes bespoke portfolios and advice that considers each client’s purpose of wealth, whole balance sheet, lifestyle requirements and tax position.¹

History

William Lawrence Baillieu and his siblings founded Mutual Trust in 1921 to provide accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family. In 2017, Mutual Trust joined with The Myer Family Company Limited, which the firm says formed Australia’s largest multi-family office.³

Timeline

1. 1921William Lawrence Baillieu and his siblings founded Mutual Trust in 1921 to provide accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family.
2. 2017In 2017, Mutual Trust joined with The Myer Family Company Limited, which the firm says formed Australia’s largest multi-family office.

Leadership

Phil Harkness is CEO and Managing Partner. Jeff Steiner is Partner and Head of Family Office Advisory.⁴

The leadership team also includes Jono Gourlay, Partner and Head of Wealth; Rob Hemphill, Partner and Head of Development; and Tracy Conlan, Partner and Head of Strategy.⁴

Services

Mutual Trust’s service platform covers family office advisory, wealth, tax, accounting, consulting, superannuation, agribusiness, philanthropy, family succession, trustee services, property services and Indigenous trusts.²

The firm provides advice and bespoke portfolios that consider a client’s purpose of wealth, whole balance sheet, lifestyle requirements and tax position.¹

What the firm offers

• Tax planning
• Trust and fiduciary
• Philanthropy
• Administration and bill pay

Client Focus

Mutual Trust serves several hundred families, family businesses, trustees and individuals.¹

Approach

Mutual Trust says its approach is built around purpose, a documented vision and values, tailored investment strategies, clear communication and long-term relationships across generations.¹

The firm states that it is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, together with other Australian regulators and authorities. Its board has nine non-executive directors and operates through six committees covering risk, investment, audit, remuneration, cash fund compliance and trustee compliance.⁵

Mutual Trust reports being named Australia’s Best for Family Office Services by Euromoney in 2025 and again in 2026.³

FAQs

Related resources

• LocationMultifamily offices in Melbourne

  This Melbourne directory helps a reader compare Australian multi-family offices by location, service focus, and client type. It can help a family or business owner assess whether Mutual Trust's tax planning, trust and fiduciary work, philanthropy, administration, and bill pay fit the practical needs of an Australian advisory relationship.

• GuideMultifamily office services

  This overview explains the functions a multi-family office may coordinate, including tax planning, fiduciary support, philanthropy, administration, and bill payment. A reader can use these service categories to prepare questions about which responsibilities Mutual Trust could address for a family, family business, trustee, or individual.

• GuideMFO vs SFO vs virtual family office

  This comparison sets out how multi-family offices differ from single-family offices and virtual models in structure, staffing, privacy, and delivery. It gives an Australian family or business owner a framework for discussing whether Mutual Trust's integrated advisory and professional services match the level of coordination they want.

• DataMFOs by decade founded

  This page groups multi-family offices by the decade they were founded, giving readers historical context for comparing firms. Someone considering Mutual Trust can use that timeline to ask how a firm's age, continuity, and experience serving families, trustees, and businesses relate to current tax, fiduciary, philanthropic, and administrative needs.

• Similar firmsGoodman Private Wealth
  Keystone Private
  EWM Group

  Profiles of Goodman Private Wealth, Keystone Private, and EWM Group offer additional reference points when researching multi-family office options. Comparing their stated services, client groups, and locations with Mutual Trust's Australian focus can help a reader identify questions about tax, trusts, philanthropy, administration, and bill pay.

Sources

1. Mutual Trust
2. What We Do
3. Why We Exist
4. Our People
5. Governance

Claim or correct this profile

This profile is a factual summary written in our own words from public sources. It is for information only. It is not an endorsement, rating, ranking or recommendation, and it is not investment advice. MultiFamilyOffices.com is not affiliated with the SEC or with this firm unless stated. Form ADV figures are self-reported by the firm.