Earlier this year Sam Mostyn AC was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as Australia’s next Governor-General, to be sworn in on July 1. An inspired appointment, it ensures Australia will be represented by an intelligent, inclusive, forward-thinking and compassionate woman for the next five years.
Nevertheless, it was a bittersweet moment for all connected with Alberts and indeed the broader Albert family, as it meant Sam would be required to step down immediately from all board roles, including her position as chair of Alberts business board, Albert Group Services.
In the four years since she assumed the role, Sam has become a respected and effective chair, mentor and trusted adviser to the board, including Alberts’ CEO David Albert, executive directors and fellow members of the fifth generation Kirsty, Emily and Ingrid Albert; and non-executive directors Andrew Rothery and Will Richardson.
(From left): AGS board member Will Richardson; Alberts Head of Finance Ben Edmonds, with AGS board members Emily Albert, David Albert, Ingrid Albert, outgoing AGS Chair Sam Mostyn, and AGS’ Kirsty Albert and Andrew Rothery).
Sam’s appointment in 2019 was something of a coup, in more ways than one. Not only was Alberts excited to have such a trailblazing leader, Sam was the first non-family member to hold the role since the business began in 1885, only the fifth chair in its 139-year history, and the first woman.
The decision to appoint a non-family member was not taken lightly and followed the sale of the bulk of the music business in 2016, after which it was agreed to separate the family and business governance. Fourth generation family member, the late Robert Albert, was the only surviving member of his generation and remained chair of the family board while a non-Albert would chair the business board.
Before her official appointment; however, it was important Sam receive the green light from Robert, a notoriously shrewd judge of character and intellect.
“We had a very detailed due diligence process, mainly just getting to know each other over chicken risotto and rosé … which led to Robert being comfortable with me joining the board in 2019,” Sam recalled during Robert’s celebration of life in February. “Once he was confident in our governance and in my arrival, together with the other two non-family directors Andrew and Will, he actually just believed in the future of the business.”
‘Being comfortable’ is a typically modest understatement. Rather, it is a sign of just how much Robert respected Sam that he trusted her implicitly to lead the business board of his family company, without interfering.
During a recent celebration farewelling Sam, David noted: “The thing that really stands out for me is Sam cared about every single aspect of Alberts: the history, the legacy, our future, all of our people. The broader family, our purpose and of course our dear and recently departed chair of the AIP board. So, while it’s terribly disappointing – and it is terribly disappointing – that Sam is required to step down as the chair of the AGS board, we see the appointment of Australia’s next Governor General as an absolutely inspired choice.”
During her time with Alberts, Sam oversaw multiple investments in a diverse range of innovative new businesses focussed on contributing to a sustainable environment, healthy minds, a vibrant culture and equality. Examples include our investment into Tixel, an ethical ticketing marketplace, and Circle In, an employee benefits platform that provides on-demand access to expert advice for caregiving employees and their managers. In addition, Sam encouraged Alberts support for The Voice referendum; and she was an inspiring keynote speaker at an Alberts–Melior investment management event exploring ways to drive gender diversity in business last year.
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2021 for distinguished service to business, the community and women, Sam was recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List with the highest distinction, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for “eminent service in the social justice, gender equity, sporting, cultural and business sectors, to reconciliation, and to environmental sustainability.” In the multitude of press reports following her appointment as Governor-General-elect, Sam was consistently acknowledged for her consultative, humble, empowering nature and tireless pursuit of equity and diversity.
Until recently, Sam was serving on the board of multiple companies and non-profits, reflecting her broad interests in business, sport, the arts, climate change and equality. In addition to chairing Beyond Blue, the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, Aware Super and ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety), Sam was on the boards of Mirvac, the Climate Change Authority, Ausfilm, AIIW (Australians Investing in Women), Foundation for Young Australians, Climate Council, and CPD (Centre for Policy Development).
Additionally, Sam was the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission (2005) and served as a commissioner for more than a decade, after which she was a director of the Sydney Swans for six seasons. A passionate advocate for women in sport, she created pathways for elite female athletes, resulting in the establishment of the AFLW competition. She was also an influential advocate for Indigenous players, and Indigenous issues in general and was chair of Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin’s GO Foundation supporting Indigenous youth through education.
Alberts’ loss is Australia’s gain and while Sam will be keenly missed, Alberts applauds the appointment and wishes her every success.
“We have had the benefit of a leader who, as the Prime Minister said, is a truly modern leader, a true pioneer and when we think about pioneers, they are someone who is driven to leave the world a better and fairer place than they found it, and that’s Sam.”
