With a new year around the corner, Super Review collates the most notable chair moves in the superannuation space throughout 2022.
2022 was one of the busiest years for merger activity the super industry had seen.
As well as this, chair positions and boards also adapted and underwent significant changes.
Cbus Super
In January of 2022, Cbus Super announced the appointment of Wayne Swan as chair of the fund. The former Federal Treasurer replaced Steve Bracks, who had a 13-year history with Cbus.
CareSuper
Linda Scott was appointed as board chair of CareSuper in April, previously serving as president of the Australian Local Government Association and the first female chair of Local Government NSW. The news followed after Terence Wetherall completed his four-year term as chair.
BUSSQ
In May, BUSSQ welcomed Christopher Taylor as chair of the board. He replaced Paula Masters, who stepped down after four years with the fund.
Hostplus
Industry super fund Hostplus said goodbye to independent chair David Elmslie, after a 15-year term. Damien Frawley was appointed to fill the role in July, who carried experience across financial, government and not-for-profit sectors.
Australian Retirement Trust (ART)
Australian Retirement Trust (ART), formed by the $230 billion merger between QSuper and Sunsuper earlier this year, announced Andrew Fraser as its new chair in October. He replaced Don Luke, who oversaw the merger between the two funds as chair.
Aware Super
During October, Aware Super appointed Sam Mostyn to take over the position of chair from Neil Cochrane. The departing chair had seen the fund through the merger between First State Super and VicSuper, which created Aware Super in 2020.
UniSuper
Peter Warne was welcomed as chair of UniSuper’s investment committee in November, taking over from Ian Martin. Prior to this, Warne was chair at Macquarie Bank for six years and director for 15 years.
NGS Super
After a decade on the board, NGS Super chairman Dick Shearmen announced his retirement. The fund had grown from $4.4 billion to $13 billion during his tenure, as well as his oversight in its merger with UC Super and QIEC Super.
Rest Super
Rest Super was the final fund to announce a chair move in 2022. On 1 December, James Merlino was appointed as chair of the board and independent director. Prior to this, Merlino had a 20-year career in the Victorian government, including as deputy premier of Victoria.
The fund has hired a former ART executive as its new head of group strategy.
The sovereign wealth fund has revealed six internal hires to support the execution of key strategies.
The fund has announced the departure of a second senior executive in as many months, with its chief member officer to finish up mid-December.
The $89 billion fund has announced a new leadership role within its private markets team.