First State Super announces new CRO
First State Super has appointed Jane Couchman as its new chief risk officer. She moves from CBA where she has been responsible for leading the bank’s compliance function globally.
Previously Couchman was the Global COO, compliance and head of enterprise compliance at Macquarie Bank. She was part of the global executive leadership team for the compliance division was also the program lead for the Australian Banking Association (ABA) Industry reform program and led Macquarie’s response to a series of ABA initiatives to improve trust and confidence in the banking industry.
In her new role as CRO at First State Super, Couchman will oversee the fund’s risk and compliance division and work closely with Government regulators to ensure the fund maintains the highest governance standards.
First State Super CEO Deanne Stewart said: “Jane is one of the most respected risk management executives in the financial services sector and we are delighted she will be joining us in this critical role.”
Couchman said she believed strongly in First State Super’s purpose and felt aligned to its Members First values.
She will commence in May, replacing Suzette Thurman who stepped down from the role of group executive risk and compliance in October.
IOOF updates changes to executive committee
IOOF has announced an update to recent changes to its executive team, following the senior management review CEO Renato Mota carried out late last year.
The appointments, effective immediately, are part of a broader reshape of the business in a new phase of IOOF’s transformation, and comprise:
- Frank Lombardo (pictured left) to assume the role of chief operating officer. His change in role reflects a focus on the integration of Pension and Investments business (P&I) as well as continued ClientFirst transformation.
- Darren Whereat (centre) to assume the position of chief advice officer. He will continue to have carriage of the advice business, ensuring consistency and further cementing the central role advice is set to play in the company’s future strategy.
- Mark Oliver (pictured right) to take the new title of chief distribution officer, a role that reinforces the increased scale and scope of IOOF’s product and client businesses.
“These promotions and changes to the executive team are designed to better align our teams and reflect the integration of the recent acquisition of ANZ’s Pension and Investments business (P&I),” said Mota.
As part of these changes, Mota announced that Candice Spence, head of marketing, has chosen to leave the company after 14 years with the organisation.
Mota thanked Spence for her significant contribution during her time at IOOF.
SuperConcepts announces new chairman
SuperConcepts has announced Stuart Forsyth as the new independent chairman of the board.
CEO Lara Bourguignon said Forsyth’s SMSF experience would further bolster the positioning of SuperConcepts in line with the simplified operating model.
“Stuart has served on our board as an independent member for more than four years and has extensive SMSF experience from his previous role as assistant deputy commissioner superannuation and, more recently, the non-executive director of SuperIQ Pty Ltd.
“With his unique background across the industry, he brings a broad skill set spanning large organisational experience, government, consulting knowledge and high-level technical skills that our board and leadership team can continue to leverage for the benefit of our clients,” Bourguignon said.
Forsyth said he was honoured to step up into the chair’s role at a time of great innovation.
