He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and received the A.I.C.D. (Victorian Division) Distinguished Fellow Award for 2010.
In August 2006 he was made a Life Member of the National Gallery of Victoria; and in April 2010 made a Life Member of Philanthropy Australia. In March 2012 he was awarded by the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne, the 2012 Alumni of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was engaged in the securities industry until 1989, for a period spanning 29 years. He joined Potter Partners in 1961, became a partner in 1969, Senior Partner in 1980 and on incorporation of the Firm, Chairman and Chief Executive of Potter Partners Group Ltd. in March 1986.
He was a Director of Woodside Petroleum Ltd from 1988 and Chairman from 1999 to 2007; a Director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited from 1991 and Chairman from August 1995 to February 2010; and a Director of Singapore Airlines from 1999 to 2006.
Charles is currently Chairman of Australia United Investment Company Ltd., Diversified United Investment Ltd. and Flagstaff Partners Pty Ltd
He is Chairman of The Ian Potter Foundation and has, over a number of years, been involved in a wide range of community activities.
Educated
Scotch College, Melbourne (Dux of the School 1956) University of Melbourne (Graduated in first place in the Faculty of Commerce, 1960) Columbia University, New York (Awarded Beta Gamma Sigma, 1963).
Industry Involvements
Banking
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd – Director 1991–2010; – Chairman 1995–2010;
Funds Management:
Australian United Investment Co. Ltd Chairman 1990–
Diversified United Investment Ltd Chairman 1991–
Mercury Asset Management: Chairman 1987–1998
Legal & General Assurance Holdings (Australia) Ltd Director 1988–1993
Queensland Investment Corporation Director 1989–2000
Supreme Court Library: Advisor to the Investment Committee 1981–1993
Thomas Baker, Alice Baker & Eleanor Shaw Trust: Advisor to the Investment Committee 1981–1993
University of Melbourne Investment Committee: Member 1982–2001; Chairman 1998–2001
Melbourne Business School Investment Committee: Member 1986–2002
Australian Academy of Science Finance Committee: Member 1990–1993
Oil & Gas:
Woodside Petroleum Ltd: Director 1988–2007; Chairman 1999–2007
Property:
Grosvenor Australia Properties Pty Ltd: Chairman 2008–2012
Airlines:
Singapore Airlines Limited: Director 1999–2006
General Industry:
Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd Director: 1977–1993
Hallmark Cards Australia Ltd Director 1979–1992
Pacific Dunlop Limited: Director 1987–1999
CSR Limited: Director 1993–2001
Community & Philanthropic Activities
Philanthropy:
The Ian Potter Foundation Limited: Governor 1987– ; Chairman 1994–
The George Alexander Foundation: Governor 1987–; Chairman 1994–
The Ken Myer Bequest: Trustee 1994–2004
A Life Member of Philanthropy Australia
Arts:
Australian Ballet School: Member of Council 1980–1986
National Gallery of Victoria: Life Member 2006
Environment:
Australian Landscape Trust: Trustee 2000–2001
Asia Pacific Council of Nature Conservancy: 2000–2006
Regional Natural Heritage Programme Taskforce: Member 2002–2006
Education:
Monash University: Member of Council 1980–1985; Member of the Board, Centre for Molecular Biology & Medicine 1983–1985; Member of Finance Committee 1980–1985; Member of Trustees of Monash Superannuation Scheme: 1980–1985; Chairman 1982–1985; Trustee of Monash University Foundation 1983–1985; Member of Monash University Investment Advisory Committee (2013-2014)
University of Melbourne: Member of the Investment Committee 1986–2001; Chairman of the Investment Committee 1998–2001; Director, Melbourne Business School Foundation Ltd. (previously Graduate School of Management) 1992–2002; Chairman of the Melbourne Business School Investment Committee (2013-2016)
Medical:
Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine: Member of the Board 1987–2005; Honorary Treasurer 1988–1994; Vice President 1994–1996; President 1997–2004; Howard Florey Medical Research Foundation: Trustee 1994–2004;
Neurosciences Australia Ltd.: Director 2003–2004
The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital: Member of Committee of Management 1982–1986
Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria: Member of Appeals Committee 1980–1986; Member Executive Committee 1981–1984
Austin Hospital Foundation Ltd – Director 1981–1984
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research: Member of Melbourne Committee 1981–1992
General:
Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce: Governor 2000–
Institute of Public Affairs: Chairman 1984–1993