Anne Collins

Anne Collins has been practising as a lawyer for more than 30 years and has broad experience across the various arms of the profession including private practice, at the Bar and now in-house.

Before starting in the role of KPMG International General Counsel in January 2016, Anne was the General Counsel to KPMG in Australia for six years. She gained experience dealing with a range of professional services firms in private practice and understands the many diverse and challenging legal issues that arise for global organisations at local and international levels.

Anne is known as a champion of diversity, and for building and sustaining teams of commercially astute and capable lawyers, focused on delivering business outcomes.

Professional and Industry Experience:

• KPMG International General Counsel
• Previously General Counsel to KPMG in Australia, including a member of the National Executive Committee and its Diversity Leadership Board
• Previously Partner at Blake Dawson (now Ashurst), including Leader of the Litigation Team in Sydney and Staff Partner

KPMG International Roles:

• General Counsel, KPMG International including leading the International Office of General Counsel
• Member of the Global Management Team
• Attendee at meetings of the Global Council, Global Board, Governance Committee, Quality, Risk Management & Reputation Committee and Audit and Finance Committee
• Chair, General Counsel Steering Group

When I started studying at UNSW, I knew very little about the law. I did not know any lawyers and had never had a need to engage with the legal system. So UNSW shaped my thinking about both the law and its operation in the Australian community and internationally. The breadth and utility of that early learning have never left me. I am very grateful for the rigour of the academic program, the focus on the importance of the law to social issues and developments in business, and the practical training in the application of the law. I was privileged to spend a semester working at the Kingsford Legal Centre where I learnt much about engaging with clients and how to provide relevant and pragmatic legal advice. All these skills have been critical in my work across the various arms of the profession and, even though I may not always have known the right legal answer, my education as a lawyer at UNSW meant I always knew how to find it. Equally importantly, I have many fond memories of my university days, and many of those in my year at UNSW are still friends and colleagues. There has always been an immediate bond and expectation when I have found myself engaging professionally with fellow alumni. I have watched the Law School at UNSW grow in strength and stature with pride, and there is no doubt it was a privilege to have studied at such a great institution.