Our Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring Victoria Legal Aid meets its statutory objectives and carries out its functions and duties in accordance with the Legal Aid Act 1978 (Vic). The Board met eight times in 2014–15.
Board members
The Board has five directors nominated by the Victorian Attorney-General and appointed by the Governor-in-Council. At least one member must have experience in financial management and one must have experience in business or government operations. One of the directors is our Managing Director.
Andrew Guy, Non-Executive Director and Chairperson
Andrew Guy has more than 40 years of legal and management experience. A former managing partner at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks, Andrew has extensive experience as a director, sitting on the boards of several listed public companies as well as Anglicare Victoria. Andrew was appointed as Chairperson of the Victoria Legal Aid Board in October 2011.
Bevan Warner, Managing Director
Bevan was appointed Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid on 4 August 2008. He has 20 years’ senior executive experience including in Corrections and in Aboriginal Affairs where he developed an appreciation of the diversity and underlying causes of the over representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice and child protection systems. Bevan was formerly the General Manager of Legal Aid Western Australia.
Catherine McGovern, Non-Executive Director
Catherine McGovern has extensive experience in merchant banking, government relations and public affairs. She was previously the General Manager, Government and Public Affairs at Medibank Private and the industry adviser for the then Minister of Industry, Science and Resources, Senator the Hon. Nick Minchin. Catherine is also a board member of Melbourne City Mission. Catherine was appointed in September 2011.
Virginia Rogers, Non-executive Director
Virginia Rogers has extensive legal and board experience with a diverse range of organisations. A former Chairperson of the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria, she is currently a member of the Victorian Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Chairperson of Marriott Support Services. Virginia was appointed in May 2012. Her term on the Board expired on 1 May 2015.
David Thompson, Non-Executive Director
David Thompson has more than 30 years’ experience in the finance sector in senior roles in Australia and America, including as Chief Financial Officer for the NAB Business Bank. As well as his accounting degree he holds a Masters in Applied Finance and graduate diplomas in computing, chartered secretarial practice and corporate administration. He is the Chairperson of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Victorian Regional Council. David was appointed in February 2013.
Jennifer Kanis, Non-Executive Director
Jennifer Kanis has extensive legal, government and community experience. She has practised in employment, industrial relations and equal opportunity law. Prior to pursuing a legal career, Jennifer spent six years as a secondary school teacher. She was elected to the Melbourne City Council in 2008 and the Parliament of Victoria in 2012 as the Member for Melbourne. Jennifer was appointed to the Board in May 2015 to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Virginia Rogers.