TAL appoints new Group CEO and Managing Director

TAL has announced the appointment of Fiona Macgregor as the new Group CEO and Managing Director, effective 1 October 2024. Macgregor will continue in her current role as Chief Executive – Individual Life until then as part of a leadership transition with Brett Clark over the next three months.

The appointment follows the promotion of TAL’s current Group CEO and Managing Director Brett Clark to CEO and Managing Director of Asia-Pacific for Dai-ichi Life Group, TAL’s parent company, from 1 July 2024.

Incoming TAL Group CEO and Managing Director Fiona Macgregor said: “I’m immensely proud of the contribution we make and the help we provide to Australians when they need us most. I feel privileged to have this opportunity to lead the TAL team.”

TAL Board Chair Mark Joiner said: “Fiona Macgregor is an impressive leader with more than ten years in senior leadership roles at TAL. She has a strong track record of leadership in the business and has helped to grow and shape TAL”

Outgoing TAL Group CEO and Managing Director Brett Clark said “It’s been a privilege to lead TAL through a significant period of growth and industry change.

“I’m excited by my new opportunity with Dai-ichi Life Group, and to be able to continue to support Fiona and TAL as part of my CEO role in Asia-Pacific.”

HESTA appoints General Manager Strategic Planning

HESTA has announced the appointment of Alissa Knight to the newly created role of General Manager Strategic Planning, effective June 11.  

In the new role, Knight will play an important role in supporting HESTA’s Executive Leadership team in strategic planning and key initiatives. 

With a background spanning various strategy-related roles, including her tenure at AIA and legalsuper, Knight brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alissa back to HESTA in this pivotal role. Her proven track record in strategy execution roles and her previous contract work with HESTA position her well to drive positive outcomes for members.”

Equip Super announces new CXO

Equip Super has appointed Carrie Norman as the new Chief Experience Officer (CXO).

Norman has worked within the superannuation industry for over 15 years for several funds including UniSuper, Legalsuper, Cbus, and ESSSuper. 

In her new role commencing 11 June 2024, Norman will be responsible for Equip Super’s Retirement, Product, Marketing and Financial Planning functions, and for the end-to-end experience of the fund’s 140,000 members.

Speaking of the announcement, Scott Cameron, Equip Super CEO, said, ‘We are thrilled to welcome Carrie Norman as Equip Super’s new Chief Experience Officer to lead our recently established Member Experience business function. Carrie brings invaluable experience in the superannuation industry and will be instrumental in driving our commitment to delivering exceptional member experiences. We are confident that under her leadership, Equip Super will continue to set the standard for excellence in our industry and prepare our members for financial freedom in retirement.’

Rest Board farewells two directors

The Board of Rest is farewelling two directors set to embark on new career chapters.

Sally Evans, a Rest Director since May 2018, is a highly respected director and leader will depart the Board to concentrate her professional focus on improving products and services for older Australians and the senior community. Evans, an employer-nominated Rest Director, holds a number of other directorships in the retirement, aged care and life insurance sectors. She will finish at Rest on 31 July 2024.  

Separately, Julia Fox, a Rest director since January 2018, has been appointed as a Commissioner of the Fair Work Commission. Fox, a Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)-nominated Rest Director, departs on 26 May 2024 to take up her new position on 27 May 2024.

Rest Chair James Merlino said: “Julia and Sally’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Rest into the mature super fund it is today. On behalf of our 2 million members and the entire Rest team, I’d like to recognise and thank both Julia and Sally for their years of exceptional service.”

Amy Murrell appointed Chief People Officer

In more news at Rest, Amy Murrell has been appointed to the new role of Chief People Officer, marking a significant step in the fund’s strategic focus on its people and culture.

Murrell, who joined Rest in May 2021 as General Manager People & Culture, will now report directly to Rest Chief Executive Officer Vicki Doyle.

Murrell played an important role in developing Rest’s employee-centred culture over the past three years and was instrumental in creating Rest’s values and behaviours framework.

“I warmly welcome Amy Murrell to my Executive Leadership Team as Rest’s first Chief People Officer,” said Doyle.