Education not-for-profit Australian Business Community Network (ABCN) has appointed TAL Group CEO and MD Brett Clark as Chair, replacing Hall & Wilcox Managing Partner Tony Macvean. 

Mr Macvean departs after 11 years on the board and six as Chair. Mr Clark has been on the ABCN board since 2019. 

“Brett has already made a wonderful contribution to ABCN over the past four years and with the setting of a new five-year strategy for the organisation, this is the perfect opportunity for him to work with the board and executive to deliver the next phase of impact, innovation and growth,” Mr Macvean said. 

The ABCN brings businesses and schools together to address educational disadvantage. Volunteers from over 50 leading businesses connect with students to provide workplace-based mentoring programs that develop confidence, skills and aspirations.  

It has a Scholarship Foundation as well as dedicated programs for female, First Nations, and rural and remote students. 

Mr Clark has headed TAL since April 2015 and is also Co-Chair of the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) and holds a range of roles at the Dai-ichi Life Group. 

TAL has raised more than $750,000 for the ABCN to help Australians from lower socio-economic backgrounds access quality education.