ACSA announces winners of 2011 industry awards
Nikki Bennett, Dañelle Michael and Tony Stolarek recognised for their contribution to the custody and investment administration sector
The Australian Custodial Services Association (ACSA) has announced the winners of the 2011 ACSA Awards. Presented at the ACSA/ Conexus Investment Administration Conference dinner in Sydney on Tuesday night, the awards recognise outstanding contributors to the Australian custody and investment administration industry.
Nikki Bennett of HSBC, Dañelle Michael of Computershare Investor Services and Tony Stolarek of Ernst and Young were announced as winners of this important industry award, all demonstrating a high level of professionalism, knowledge and commitment to their respective contributions to ACSA’s working groups and in advancing developments within the custody and investment administration industry.
ACSA Chair Paul Cutts said that much of the hard work of our organisation is done within the working groups and the executive is greatly appreciative for the hard work and dedication of all participants. The ACSA Board was pleased with the peer recognition within the industry receiving a number of strong nominations.
The ACSA awards recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry, members, clients and ACSA itself.
Nikki Bennett, Tax Manager with HSBC and a member of ACSA’s tax working group since the group formed in 2009 has exhibited the persistence, tenacity and technical understanding to achieve positive outcomes. Ms Bennett has provided input on submissions ranging from streamlined implementations for custodians to withholding tax issues with the ATO. Within the tax working group, she proactively takes responsibility for projects and communicates legislative changes to her peers.
Dañelle Michael, Senior Product Manager, Computershare, has been involved with the ACSA corporate actions working group for over two years. Initially, she was invited for her registry expertise when the ACSA meetings were predominantly custodians. Ms Michael saw the benefits of a forum between custodians and share registries and has actively broken down barriers between industry segments.
Tony Stolarek, Partner with Ernst & Young, provided key strategic inputs into submissions made by ACSA to the Assistant Treasurer and Treasury on the application of the Tax Agent Services Act. His ability to provide broader industry insights and reactions to tax reforms provided the knowledge base to build compelling cases in ACSA submissions.
In presenting the awards, Mr Cutts thanked the three winners on behalf of ACSA for their enormous contributions to the custody industry.
“Nikki, Dañelle and Tony have gone above and beyond what was required. They have committed their time and expertise as well as demonstrating great dedication to achieving positive change for their respective industry initiatives. The custody and fund administration sector is a backbone of the financial services industry and such outcomes are to the benefit of the whole industry and importantly end investors. Mr Cutts said.
