REI Super CEO to step down
REI Super has announced that long-serving CEO, Mal Smith, will be stepping down from the role later in 2019. REI Super chairperson Claire Higgins said that Smith has elected not to pursue another contract renewal with the fund, as he would like to explore new professional opportunities.
“Mal has been the driving force behind REI Super’s growth and stability for the last 15 years and has successfully steered the fund through countless changes and challenges in the superannuation industry and the broader economic environment,” said Higgins.
Smith thanked the REI Super board, trustee staff and service providers and the fund’s members and employers for their support.
“I’ve really loved this role and I’ve been energised and supported by the team around me and by our members and employers. Our members have a real passion for the real estate industry, which is inspiring,” said Smith.
Vision Super announces new chief risk officer
Vision Super, has welcomed Nikki Schimmel who has taken up the new position of chief risk officer.
Schimmel joins Vision Super from LUCRF Super, where she was chief risk and compliance officer for over seven years. Prior to this she worked for KPMG for more than a decade.
“Nikki has joined Vision Super to oversee the risk and compliance functions,” Vision Super CEO Stephen Rowe said.
“The last few years have seen an unprecedented pace of legislative and regulatory change, and the Productivity Commission and Royal Commission final reports look set to increase that pace even further.
“We’re delighted to welcome Nikki to the team,” Rowe said.
Mine Super appoints new CIO
Mine Super has announced the appointment of Seamus Collins to the role of chief investment officer (CIO), effective Monday 1 April.
This follows him successfully taking on the acting CIO role following David Bell’s departure in December 2018.
Collins joined the fund in November 2017 as executive manager, portfolio implementation following over a decade with JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. in their superannuation segments, as well as various senior management roles with the Australian Securities Exchange and Australian Stock Exchange.
legalsuper expands member service capability
legalsuper has continued expanding its member service team with the appointment of experienced superannuation industry professional Sophie Harris into a newly-created client service manager role in Melbourne.
legalsuper’s chief executive Andrew Proebstl, said Harris’ appointment brings the number of new, member-facing appointments to nine, made in less than three years and is in direct response to member and employer feedback.
Harris joins legalsuper after more than five years with industry fund LUCRF and a professional career of more than 18 years. She has post-graduate qualifications in financial planning and additional qualifications in training and assessment.
Westpac announces executive changes
Westpac has announced that BT Financial Group (BTFG) chief executive Brad Cooper will depart following the businesses’ realignment into the consumer and business divisions.
Westpac Group chief executive, Brian Hartzer, said “Brad is a highly-regarded executive, whose contribution to the Group over the past 12 years spans roles including CEO of Westpac New Zealand, leading the transformation and integration of the St.George merger and chief executive of BT Financial Group.”
In other re-organisation of group executive responsibilities, Westpac also announced that its consumer division will be led by the current business bank chief executive David Lindberg. Also, consumer bank chief executive George Frazis will leave the Group to pursue other leadership opportunities.
MLC Life appoints new chief of group and retail partners
MLC Life has appointed Sean McCormack as chief of group and retail partners in March 2019, after serving as the company’s chief customer officer, retail insurance.
Prior to this, McCormack was chief operating officer, responsible for operations, technology and enterprise program management office. In this role he was the executive sponsor for the program to re-platform MLC Life’s technology systems as part of the divestment from NAB.
McCormack replaces Suzanne Smith, chief customer officer, Group Insurance, who left after accepting a senior role in the superannuation team at APRA.
TAL appoints chief commercial officer following Suncorp life acquisition
Following TAL’s announcement of the completion of its acquisition of Suncorp’s Australian life insurance business, TAL has appointed Andrew Howard to the newly created role of chief commercial officer. In this role, he will be responsible for the performance of the (former) Suncorp Australian life business as well as supporting employees as they transition to TAL. Prior to his role at TAL, Howard was the chief operating officer and Interim CEO at Rest.
TAL Group CEO and managing director, Brett Clark, said, “We are delighted that Andrew has joined the team to manage the integration of Suncorp’s Australian life insurance business. Andrew has a strong track record of leading growth and transformation programs, and engaging people through times of change.”
Rest appoints new group executives
Rest has announced the appointment of two new group executives: Tyrone O’Neill will join the fund as group executive, member engagement, and Brendan Daly as group executive, product and operations. Member engagement, and product and operations are both new groups formed as part of the refreshed internal structure announced in late 2018.
O’Neil and Daly join other recent appointments to lead Rest’s new internal groups: Gemma Kyle, group executive, corporate services; Deborah Potts, group executive, employer, industry and engagement; and Trevor Evans, group executive, people and change. Recruitment continues for the remaining position of group executive, innovation and transformation, with an appointment expected in the coming months.
AMP announces retirement of Geoff Roberts
AMP has announced that Geoff Roberts will retire from its board at the conclusion of the 2019 annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 2 May in Sydney.
Roberts joined the board in July 2016 and has been chairman of the audit committee since that time. He has also held positions as a member of the risk and remuneration committees and as a non-executive director of the AMP Life board. More recently, he was appointed to the AMP Bank board, as chairman of the AMP Bank audit committee and as a member of the AMP Bank risk committee. Following Roberts’ retirement, Andrea Slattery will be appointed as chairman of the AMP Limited and AMP Bank audit committees.
