Fund People Update

Maple-Brown Abbott welcomes head of ESG

Emma Pringle is the new head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Maple-Brown Abbott. Pringle covered her predecessor, Natasha McKean, who was on maternity leave and has decided to leave the company and take a position in Brisbane, a little closer to home.

HESTA loses veteran executive

Neil Saxton has resigned from HESTA after 18 years at the industry superannuation fund. For the past three years, Saxton has been the chief partnerships officer, however has held several roles, including a directorship. Saxton is moving onto new challenges.

Vamos appointed Governance Institute of Australia chair

The former Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) chief executive, Pauline Vamos, has been appointed to the role of chair of the Governance Institute of Australia. Vamos is an industry stalwart, holding multiple directorships, including at the Banking and Finance Oath and the Investment Management Consultants Association, among many others.

abrdn launches Sustainability Institute, appoints expert

Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has launched the abrdn Sustainability Institute, a new arm to provide ESG investment support for the Asia Pacific region. Danielle Welsh-Rose will lead the Institute, advised by a board. Welsh-Rose joined Aberdeen in 2019 after being head of ESG at VFMC, and being in sustainability roles at VicSuper and Sustainability Advisers.

AustralianSuper promotes portfolio manager, welcomes new CEO

Nick Ward, a long-time portfolio manager at AustralianSuper, has been promoted to head of private client. Paul Schroder is the new chief executive of AustralianSuper, replacing Ian Silk, who is stepping down after 15 years.

WTW appoints new head of Australian investments

Global advisory firm, Willis Towers Waston (WTW), has promoted Aongus O’Gorman to the head of the Australian investments team. O’Gorman has been taking care fo the Australian Delegated business for the majority of the six years he’s been with the firm. O’Gorman takes over from Martin Goss who has moved on to client consulting with WTW.

Future Fund appoints deputy chief investment officer

Ben Samild has been promoted to deputy chief investment officer at Future Fund. Samild takes over from Sue Brake, who has now been promoted to chief investment officer. Sam Killmier has been in the role since the start of 2021, however will now return to his previous role as director of dynamic asset allocation. Samild’s previous role is awaiting further decision.

Yarra Capital welcomes new MD

Edward Eason is the new managing director at Yarra Capital Management, moving into the role from a nine-year stint at Commonwealth Bank, most recently as the chief financial officer for enterprise services.

State Street appoints head of product management APAC

Jeslyn Tan is the new Asia Pacific head of product management for State Street Corporation, based in Singapore. Tan moves into the role from Deutsche Bank where she was most recently global head of product management.

SMSF Association welcomes back board member

Deborah Ralston is back on the SMSF Association board after stepping down to avoid a perceived conflict of interest after she was appointed to the Retirement Income Review panel. Ralston is on the board and advisory committees for Household Capital and AllianzRetire+, while also spending over 10 years as a professor of finance at Monash University.

ACSI welcomes new president

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey is the new president of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), replacing Ian Silk, who is stepping down.

Aware Super appoints ESG expert

Louise Bradshaw is the new manager of ESG affairs in the investments team at Aware Super. Her previous role was very similar, at Australian Catholic Superannuation. A replacement has not been found.

Bennelong appoints chair for two organisations

Michael Dwyer is the new chair of Bennelong Funds Management Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiary, Bennelong Funds Management Ltd. Dwyer first joined the boards as a non-executive director, and will succeed Stephen Rix, who is stepping down but will remain on the board.

legalsuper loses director

Philip Kennon has retired from legalsuper’s board after over 12 years as a director. In 2012, Kennon was inducted as a Living Legend of the Victorian Bar. Kennon leaves big shoes to fill for James Peters who is replacing him.