David Warren

The Equity Trustees independent super trustee business continues to grow following the announcement of two new clients at the outset of 2024.

Equity Trustee has just been appointed the superannuation trustee of Clearview Retirement Plan as well as Guild Retirement Fund; Guild Super, the super fund for the pharmacy and childcare industries, transitioned to Equity Trustees as part of existing client Future Group’s acquisition of Guild’s superannuation business in December 2023.

In total the two funds will add an additional $5bn in funds under supervision, and it means the leading trustee will now have responsibility and oversight of those funds for an additional 110,000 super fund members.

General Manager Client and Strategic Planning at Equity Trustees David Warren said he is pleased that so many Australian superannuation funds have made the decision to trust Equity Trustees with this important governance responsibility.

“We are honoured that now 14 super funds have engaged us as their independent trustee and trusted partner supporting them by overseeing the management of products and funds for nearly 800,000 members with around $59.8bn of funds under supervision,” he explains.

“We see it as a testament to the benefits of having an independent trustee which sits at arm’s length to the commercial and operational aspects of managing a superannuation fund and its products.”​

“This appointment reaffirms Equity Trustees as the foremost provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia,” Mr Warren concluded.

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“The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry which concluded early this year threw into sharp focus the importance of a strong and operationally independent trustee office” said Mark Blair, Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

The four newest appointments expand capability in the areas of claims, insurance and client liaison:

• Princess Navarro – Head of Insurance: Princess was previously a Principal of Mercer and the Insurance, Policy and Governance Leader where she was responsible for developing insurance policy responses to industry and legislative change, strategically managing insurer relationships and meeting the governance requirements of insurance products within superannuation.
• Ian Donaldson – Senior Client Account Manager: Ian was originally an Actuary who transitioned to business development and relationship management roles during his 20 years at Mercer and AXA before that.
• Pricillia Chand – Trustee Officer (claims): Pricillia joins our Claims team and has significant experience in claims, including training and quality consulting, and has previously worked with ASIC, MLC and Colonial Life.
• Anthony Marasigan – Fund Accountant: Anthony has more than a decade of experience as a fund accountant in New Zealand with Aon Hewitt and then Link Market Services.

Mr Blair said it was critical to ensure the highest-level professional skills in the team to enable the STO to comprehensively cover an ever more complex environment while remaining focussed on the primary objective of achieving best possible member outcomes

“Our superannuation clients receive the very best state of the art independent governance model for their funds and can have confidence that the people, systems and platforms used to support the trustee function come second to none in terms of experience, expertise – and service,” Mr Blair said.

“Equity Trustees welcomes our newest appointments – they are an important part of our ongoing commitment to growing and strengthening our role as a leader in superannuation trusteeship,” he concluded.

Previous senior appointments have included David Warren in client relationship management, and Sue Everingham to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board.

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“In an increasingly heightened risk environment, where demand for our specialist trustee services is increasing, Equity Trustees continues to appoint the most experienced, highly skilled people to ensure we can carry out our trustee obligations to the highest standards,” said Tony Lally, Chairman, ETSL Board.

Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “Sue has outstanding credentials for this appointment, as a lawyer who practices in superannuation, investments and financial services law, with specific experience in the unique area of superannuation trusteeship and more than 25 years’ experience at executive management and Board level.”

Mr O’Brien added that this appointment follows a series of senior appointments which play an integral part of the superannuation trustee service area of the business, including David Warren (senior client manager) and Owen Brailsfordas Chief Risk Officer.

Sue joins fellow independent directors Catherine Robson, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), along with executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O’Brien.

Sue was the Head of the Office of Trustee, Wealth Management Division at the Commonwealth Bank, and is currently a consultant with law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. She has held senior positions in the tax, investments and superannuation practices areas of a number of leading national law firms as well as roles with BT Financial Group, Ashurst, Mercer, Hunt and Hunt, Malleson Stephen Jacques (now King and Wood Mallesons) and the ATO.

Sue is currently a non executive director of Hannover Life Re Australasia Limited and Destination Southern NSW Ltd. She was previously a non executive director of the Commonwealth Bank Group Super Fund, where she was also chair of the Risk and Audit Committee (2010 – 2013).

She holds a Masters of Taxation (LLM), Bachelor of Economics and Law and is an admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and ACT, and admitted barrister of the Supreme Court of the ACT. Sue is a qualified CPA and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Sue joins a team proud to be entrusted with the responsibility and oversight of so many superannuation funds where Equity Trustees has been chosen as an independent trustee to look out for member interests. We congratulate Sue on her appointment and look forward to working with her on the ETSL Board,” Mr Lally concluded.

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David Warren

Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed a new senior client management professional to its expanding national Superannuation Trustee Office.

Based in Melbourne, the latest appointment further strengthens the depth of experience in the complex area of superannuation trusteeship – the role with primary responsibility to look after member interests and provide oversight of superannuation funds.

David Warren joined Equity Trustees in February and brings 30 years’ experience in wealth management and life insurance, as well as experience in Board directorships and trustee positions. His background includes roles at AustralianSuper, AMP – where he held roles responsible for product development and management and insurance, and AXA.

“Demand for our independent superannuation trustee is growing steadily and David’s experience in management of a diverse range of large scale funds and products, as well as his experience in the management of underlying investment functions is an excellent addition to our expanding team,” said Mark Blair, General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

“In addition, he has excellent working knowledge and experience working within the relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks and understands the requirements of all parties involved in managing superannuation funds prudently. These are essential qualities for a superannuation trustee in recognition of our critical role in ensuring integrity and trust in the system and protection for the millions of people who have their current and future retirement hopes invested in it.

David is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

“We are delighted to have secured someone of David’s experience and welcome him to Equity Trustees,” Mr Blair concluded.

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