About Uniting Financial Services

Ross Smith Chief Executive Officer

Ross Smith joined Uniting Financial Services (UFS) as CEO in November 2025. He is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organisation, operational oversight and financial performance. Ross also works closely with the Board and senior management on the organisation’s continuing support of the Church and its mission.  Ross has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, both as an executive and in governance roles. Prior to joining UFS he served as CEO of the Lutheran Laypersons League (LLL); CEO of the Anglican Schools Corporation; and Chair of the Glebe Administration Board, which oversees investment funds for the Anglican Church in Sydney.  His previous career involved many years providing corporate advice, financial due diligence and corporate restructuring with big-four accounting firms (KPMG, PwC) and a boutique advisory. Ross is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and he holds a Master of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics. 

John McComb Chief Risk Officer 

John has over 25 years of Investment Banking, Funds Management and Management Consulting experience and is responsible for supporting the Chief Executive Officer with strategy, new initiatives and operational activities.    His most recent role has been Head of Investment Management for ACS Financial (the financial arm of Australian Christian Churches) where he was responsible for the treasury function of Australian Christian Churches’ balance sheet and CEO of Australian Christian Superannuation.    John is passionate about serving the church with a deep interest in ethical investment and the financing of social justice programs.

Ian Perry Chief Financial Officer

Ian is responsible for ensuring the financial security of Uniting Financial Services, handling all financial matters and helping to drive the overall management and strategy. Core elements include providing commercially focused recommendations, business and performance advice to key stakeholders in addition to responsibility for the day-to-day management of financial and associated operational activities.   Prior to joining Uniting Financial Services in 2017, Ian had over 20 years’ experience in the funds management and financial services industry. Ian has held senior finance roles including positions with Magellan Financial Group, BT Investment Management (now Pendal), Treasury Group (now Pacific Current) and MLC.

Shannon Kong Head of Partner Solutions and Support

Shannon Kong joined the Treasury and Investment Services Team as our new Head of Partner Solutions and Support in July 2022.    Shannon comes to us with over 20 years of experience in investment banking, commercial banking, property lending and private banking. She spent nine years at NAB, most recently as Managing Partner, Business Banking and before that was Head of Corporate Finance at OCBC Bank. Our values at the Uniting Church resonate strongly with Shannon as they align with her core values and sense of community.    Recently Shannon has been involved with not-for-profit Young Life Australia as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee.

David Creagh Head of Lending

David recently joined Uniting Financial Services in January 2023 and was recently appointed as Head of Lending, responsible for managing the commercial lending book and team of lending and operations specialists. Prior to his current role, David spent two years as Relationship Director for Westpac Bank and seven years as Senior Consultant for Lendfin. He previously spent 37 years with Westpac in senior management roles, including leading commercial banking teams in the North Western area of Sydney. A seasoned commercial and property finance specialist, David’s experience spans SMEs, middle markets and corporate markets. He brings deep knowledge of lending against specialised assets and is passionate about finding solutions for the largest, most complex transactions.

Sam Vorn Head of Balance Sheet

Sam is a seasoned investment professional with over 15 years of industry experience. He is responsible for the prudent management of assets and liabilities, investment allocations and risk management strategies. Sam joined Uniting Financial Services in January 2008. He has an astute focus on endowment strategy and responsible investing.

Craig Lee Chairperson

Craig is Chair of the UFS Board and also serves as Chair of the Governance Committee. Craig has over 35 years’ experience in banking, finance and insurance through leadership roles with major financial institutions in Sydney, London, Tokyo and Singapore. He has held CEO and General Management responsibilities covering property & infrastructure lending, credit portfolio management, and providing risk investment solutions for fund managers and insurers. He brings significant experience on related credit committees, and as responsible manager for AFSL licensees. Craig is a full time non-executive director whose current roles include Chairman of BlueCHP Limited (specialist developer of affordable housing), Non-Executive Director of Home4Life Ltd (specialist developer of disability housing under the NDIS) and Independent Chairman of Brightlight Impact Investments (an investment management firm founded by Christian Super). Prior roles include Non-Executive Director with the Future Business Council, and L. J. Hooker International Ltd.

John Barker Director

John Barker is Deputy-Chair of UFS and the Chair of the UFS Audit Committee. John is an Ordained Minister of the Word and is currently placed at Manly Uniting Church, exploring fresh expressions of church focusing on young people. He was instrumental in working with others in the formation of a regional church structure that included financial sustainability.     John’s experience includes time as a non-executive Director of the Synod Board and Treasurer of Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, including associated sub-committee roles.   During John’s ministry he has drawn heavily on his previous business background, which includes his early career in Chartered Accountancy business advisory roles and running his own Public Accountancy practice, advising many diverse businesses for over 25 years.     John has filled a number of Board roles and has been a director of Lifeline Northern Beaches for over ten years during considerable restructuring.  John holds a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology, and is currently a PhD candidate at United Theological College. John is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow member of CPA Australia.  

Clare Mazzetti Director

Clare has a diverse background in management consulting and the financial services industry holding roles which span sales, investment management, strategy, planning, program management and M&A functions. She serves as a Director of the UFS Board, as well as Chair of the Risk Committee. Most recently, Clare has led a range of regulatory and growth transformation programs for clients in the banking industry. In addition to guiding organisations through change and transformation, Clare brings prior board experience across several sectors including the mutual sector, having previously served on the Police Bank board, and recently being appointed to the Board of Qudos Bank in 2020. She also serves as a member of their Risk Committee.

Peter Walker Director

Reverend Doctor Peter Walker is an ordained minister of the Uniting Church in Australia, currently serving as General Secretary of the Synod of NSW and the ACT. Peter has served the Uniting Church in congregational, presbytery, chaplaincy, and educational roles, including Principal of United Theological College, Chairperson of Canberra Region Presbytery, President of the Australian Capital Territory Council of Churches, Director of the Charles Sturt University Centre for Public and Contextual Theology and Lecturer in its School of Theology.   Peter studied history and theology at the University of NSW, McGill University, and Charles Sturt University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sharon Roes Director

Sharon has in excess of 20 years’ experience in senior and executive roles within the Property Industry. She has acquired this experience from the private and public sectors of the market and has worked for Lendlease, Westfield, NSW Police Force, Infrastructure & Assets Command and the University of Sydney. In addition to serving as a Director of the UFS Board, Sharon is also Chair of the UCTAL Credit Committee. Sharon is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Licensed Real Estate Agent, with experience in strategic asset management and funds management. She has worked in commercial, retail and industrial property portfolios. Sharon has a comprehensive understanding of the financial, legal and political landscape affecting property and asset portfolios.

David Sietsma Director

David has over 30 years' experience in banking, financial markets and funds management gained in international investment banks and as a General Manager within Group Treasury for Australia’s largest retail bank. David has provided advice to ASX100 companies on hedging, liquidity and other financial market exposure and facilitates training sessions for banking and risk simulations for large institutions.  He currently serves as a Director of the UFS Board.   David is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has over 10 years’ experience in governance roles including as Chair of Arden Anglican School, Deputy Chair of the GAB (an endowment fund) and as a non-executive director of The Tasmanian Public Finance Corporation.

Jenny Wheatley Director

Jenny Wheatley is CEO of Cambooya Pty Ltd and CEO of Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation Ltd.  These entities support the Fairfax family (multigenerational) with financial, investment, and philanthropic services. Jenny is also a Chartered Accountant and specialised in litigation and forensic accounting.  Jenny is also a Director of the Australian Investment Council Ltd, the peak body for private capital in Australia; a Member of Famille Capital Advisory Panel, a contemporary business and finance advisory firm that serves families and a Member for Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership (CCEL) Advisory Board, a partnership between Monash University, the Myer Foundation, and Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation.  Jenny currently serves as the Chair of the UCTAL Funds Management Investment Committee. 

Sally Yule Director

Sally Yule is Managing Director of Humble Access, an organisation focused on Consulting, Executive Coaching and Governance.   Sally is a member of the Uniting Church in NSW, and an experienced Board Member and Senior Executive. She is a non-Executive Director of Anglicare Northern Territory and was a member of HammondCare’s Association from 1991-2021. Prior to establishing Humble Access, Sally worked for 25 years in senior operational roles in the not-for-profit aged and health care sector and has extensive experience, successfully driving operational and cultural change.  Before her career in the NFP sector, Sally worked in Banking and Finance in corporate banking and treasury risk management roles. Sally holds a Master of Applied Finance (Macquarie University) and is an AICD graduate. 

Ross Smith Director

Ross Smith joined Uniting Financial Services (UFS) as CEO in November 2025. He is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organisation, operational oversight and financial performance. Ross also works closely with the Board and senior management on the organisation’s continuing support of the Church and its mission.    Ross has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, both as an executive and in governance roles. Prior to joining UFS he served as CEO of the Lutheran Laypersons League (LLL); CEO of the Anglican Schools Corporation; and Chair of the Glebe Administration Board, which oversees investment funds for the Anglican Church in Sydney. His previous career involved many years providing corporate advice, financial due diligence and corporate restructuring with big-four accounting firms (KPMG, PwC) and a boutique advisory.   Ross is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and he holds a Master of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics. 

  CallInvestments and Lending: 1300 133 673Other enquiries: 02 8267 4300

  Emailcontactus@unitingfinancial.com.auWe are here to help.

  Post P.O. Box A2178, Sydney South NSW 1235  

  AddressLevel 10, 222 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

  Important for you to know Financial services are provided by The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited ACN 000 022 480, ABN 89 725 654 978, AFSL 292186 (“UCTAL”) and by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) ABN 77 005 284 605 (“UCAPT”) (together and separately “Uniting Financial Services”), for The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT (“Synod”), under a s.911A Corporations Act 2001 (Cth.) authorisation and pursuant to APRA Banking Exemption No. 1 of 2021 and ASIC Regulatory Guide 87 and ASIC Corporations (Charitable Investment Fundraising) Instrument 2016/813 exemptions. Uniting Financial Services® is a registered trademark of UCTAL used with permission of UCAPT. None of The Uniting Church in Australia, UCAPT and UCTAL is prudentially supervised by APRA. Therefore, investments with or contributions to these Uniting Church organisations will not receive the benefit of the Financial Claims Scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth.). All financial services and products are designed for investors who wish to promote the religious and charitable purposes of Uniting Financial Services and The Uniting Church in Australia and for whom profit considerations are not of primary importance in their decision to invest. The information on this page has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before acting on it, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances or refer to the relevant disclosure document. Loan applications are subject to credit approval. Interest rates are subject to change. Fees and charges may apply.