GROW Super appoints new super expert
GROW Super has announced the appointment of Adam Gee to the role of head of strategy.
Gee was recently the lead partner of KPMG’s Superannuation Advisory practice and prior to that, the CEO of research and ratings house SuperRatings.
In his new role Gee will lead the development of GROW’s strategy both domestically and internationally and support the implementation of the TINA platform, GROW’s blockchain-enabled technology solution for superannuation funds and wealth platforms.
GROW’s CEO Joshua Wilson said “We are thrilled to have attracted someone of Adam’s calibre and in-depth industry knowledge to GROW.” Gee commenced with GROW in May.
Aberdeen Standard Investments strengthens ESG capabilities with new appointment
Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has appointed Bill Hartnett as an ESG investment director. Hartnett will report to Euan Stirling, global head of stewardship and ESG investment and will be based in London with a specific remit to support investment colleagues in emerging markets and Asia Pacific. Hartnett will analyse specific long-term factors involving investee companies’ environmental and social management and performance, as well as the effectiveness of governance structures.
Hartnett has over 20 years’ experience of responsible investment and active ownership across roles in asset management, research and asset ownership. Prior to joining ASI he was head of responsible investment at Local Government Super (LGS).
Stirling said: “We are delighted Bill has joined our ESG Investment team, which is growing in importance, as we continue to move ESG considerations further up the investment agenda.”
Energy Super appoints its first CIO
Energy Super has announced the appointment of Kevin Wan Lum to the inaugural role of chief investment officer. With more than 20 years’ investment management experience in Australia and overseas, his most recent roles include head of real assets and alternatives /senior portfolio manager and acting CIO for Vic Super, portfolio manager equities and property with Ibbotson, and portfolio manager, implemented solutions at QIC.
CEO Robyn Petrou said: “This month we welcomed Kevin to the new role of chief investment officer. We look forward to his strong experience, outstanding investment skills and clear leadership in our next chapter of growth.”
Wan Lum said the new role provided an opportunity to continue to evolve his skills while contributing to Energy Super’s success.
“The level of engagement of members and the passion of the Energy Super team are great platforms to really make a difference to members of Energy Super and maximise their retirement outcomes,” he said.
The Energy executive team has also recently added Katie Simpson as general counsel and fund secretary and Sean Marteene as general manager, customer insight and product.
Spaceship announces changes to management team
Spaceship has announced its CEO Paul Bennetts will take on the newly created role of chief product officer, as part of a strategic strengthening of its management team. Spaceship chair Andrew Moore (pictured) will assume the role of interim CEO until a permanent CEO is appointed.
Moore said that Spaceship was ready to ramp up its growth after two years as a start-up, and that it was critical for staff, customers and investors that the organisation had the right management structure to realise its ambitions.
“To best prepare Spaceship for the next stage of growth the company needs to broaden the capabilities of the senior management team,” he said.
“We want to harness Paul’s flair for product development, ensuring he can focus his energy on giving the market what it wants. That will allow us to attract an experienced CEO to join the business, who can lead the Spaceship team and concentrate on accelerating our rapid growth.”
Spaceship has grown from a team of six employees in 2017 to more than 40 in 2019, spanning engineering, operations, compliance, risk, marketing and investment.
AMP announces board changes
AMP has announced the appointment of Debra Hazelton as a non-executive director to the AMP board, effective 15 June 2019.
AMP also announced that on completion of the sale of AMP Life to Resolution Life, Trevor Matthews will remain on the AMP Life board as an AMP nominee and retire from the AMP Limited Board. Matthews joined the board of AMP in March 2014 and was appointed chairman of AMP Life in May 2016.
Hazelton brings significant experience from more than 30 years in global financial services, including as the local chief executive of Mizuho Bank in Australia and Commonwealth Bank (CBA) in Japan. She is a non-executive director on the boards of Treasury Corporation of Victoria, Persol Australia Holdings and the Australia-Japan Foundation, and previously served on the board of Australian Financial Markets Association. She is also a non-executive director of AMP Capital Holdings Limited and will continue in this position when she joins the AMP board.
TelstraSuper announces chief risk officer
TelstraSuper has announced the appointment of Sabine Taylor as chief risk officer.
Initially appointed as interim CRO in February 2019, Taylor will transition to permanent chief risk officer immediately.
Prior to her appointment at TelstraSuper, Taylor was head of wrap operations at Colonial First State. She brings over 25 years industry experience in the areas of risk, compliance, operations, governance, fraud and security, including roles at UniSuper, AMP and the Commonwealth Bank. She was also a member of the Bank’s Women’s Advisory Council.
TelstraSuper CEO Chris Davies said the fund was delighted with the permanent appointment.
Mercer appoints head of investment strategy
Mercer has appointed experienced investment strategist Gwion Moore to the role of head of investment strategy.
Moore joins Mercer from Suncorp where he has held the role of executive manager, investment strategy and portfolio management since 2015. Prior to this, he was based in London where he led investment strategy at Russell Investments and Mn Services. He has also held portfolio management roles at Lehman Brothers and JP Morgan. Mercer Pacific CIO Kylie Willment said Moore’s appointment strengthens the capabilities of the portfolio management team.
