Jo has been a member of the FEAL Finance Committee since 2013 and will become Chair of the Finance Committee.

Jane Perry, Chair of FEAL, welcomed the new directors and thanked the outgoing directors.

“Jo and Damian were approached to join the Board on the basis of their extensive experience and track record in the super and investment space. This depth of experience will see them make a valuable contribution to FEAL and to our professional development and education initiatives,” said Jane.

“Through the COVID-19 pandemic, superannuation has remained central to the financial resilience of many Australians, and an important part of the national agenda. Similarly, in this period of unprecedented change, FEAL has remained important to the executives who serve superannuation fund members. The new directors join us to continue to provide professional development and ongoing education that is high quality and easy to access, wherever and however our members may be working,” she said.

Robyn Petrou and Debby Blakey have stepped down from the FEAL board effective 1 July. Robyn has also been Chair of the FEAL Finance Committee since 2015.

Jane thanked Robyn and Debby for their Board tenure and service to FEAL through a period of great change for funds.

“Robyn has been on the board since 2008 and Debby since 2014. During their tenure, Robyn and Debby have been active and passionate contributors to FEAL. They both have a deep understanding of the superannuation and retirement sector and we are very grateful to them for their significant contribution to the professional development of fund executives”.

“I am confident Jo and Damian will make a significant contribution as we continue our mission to be the chosen provider of professional development for today’s executives, and tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jane.

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Kevin O’Sullivan

Kevin O’Sullivan Chief Executive Officer of UniSuper, has been awarded the 2020 Fund Executive Association Limited (FEAL) Fund Executive of the Year.

The annual award, which is in its 19th year, recognises a fund executive who has made an outstanding contribution to their fund and the superannuation industry.

At a dinner attended by more than 60 industry guests in Sydney and live streamed to FEAL members around the country, Kevin was named the 2020 recipient of the award for his contribution in areas including digital innovation, corporate strategy and his leadership during the pandemic which has presented unique challenges.

Jane Perry, Chair of FEAL commented: “Kevin’s outstanding leadership of UniSuper and his contribution to the industry over many decades makes him the perfect recipient for this award. His passion for digital innovation in particular has helped UniSuper’s members become more engaged with their superannuation and goals for retirement.”

Kevin has been the Chief Executive Officer of UniSuper since July 2013. UniSuper manages more than $83 billion on behalf of 495,000 members.

Kevin has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services and is an advocate for innovation in the superannuation industry. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and an annual participant and “fundraising legend” in the Mother’s Day Classic.

Joanna Davison, FEAL Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce Kevin as the 2020 Fund Executive of the Year. His dedication to providing the best possible service to members at UniSuper whilst contributing to positive changes in the superannuation industry more broadly is outstanding.”

Speaking about the 19th anniversary of the award, Jane Perry said: “Recognising outstanding leadership in superannuation is an important pillar to building confidence in the system and ultimately improving retirement outcomes for all Australians.”

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In addition, Jane Perry has been reappointed as Chair of FEAL for a further two year team. Graeme Arnott has stepped down from the FEAL board following his resignation from First State Super, but will join the FEAL Programme Committee – responsible for organising the annual FEAL National Conference and Executive Forum.

Jane Perry, Chair of FEAL, said that Laura would bring to the association extensive experience in the superannuation and retirement space, as well as the success of  NGS Super.

“Laura was approached to join the Board on the basis of her extensive experience and track record of more than three decades in the super space. She was a founding Trustee Director of NGS Super and has held client services and operational roles at three different administrators working closely with a number of funds. This depth of experience will see her make a valuable contribution to FEAL and to our professional development and education initiatives,” said Jane.

Jane also thanked Graeme Arnott for his contribution to the Board of Directors.

“During his tenure, Graeme has been an active and passionate contributor to FEAL. He has a deep understanding of the superannuation and retirement sector, and I’m pleased to welcome him to his new role with the FEAL Programme Committee. Through the committee, Graeme will continue to make a contribution to our members’ professional development,” said Jane.

“On a personal note, I’m also delighted to have been appointed for a further two year term as Chair of FEAL. This is bittersweet as it will be my final term, in line with the FEAL constitution, and there’s a lot to do in the space in this time. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, superannuation has retained its space in the spotlight. It’s our goal to support our members through this period of unprecedented change, by retaining our focus on professional development and ongoing education – and making it easy to access, wherever and however our  members may be working,” she said.

In conclusion, Jane said that she is excited about the future of FEAL and the contribution she expects Laura to make.

“I feel very confident that Laura will make a significant contribution as we continue on our mission to be the chosen provider of professional development for today’s executives, and tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.

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Graeme Arnott has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the board and Ross Piper has been appointed to replace Doug Carmichael.

Doug Carmichael has stepped down from the FEAL board following his recent retirement from Commonwealth Bank Group Super. In addition, Joe Farrugia will step down from the FEAL Board on his retirement from Catholic Super on 1 October 2019. Doug Carmichael will continue as Chair of the FEAL Program Committee – responsible for organising the annual FEAL National Conference and Executive Forum.

Commenting on the appointments, Jane Perry, Chair of FEAL, said that Graeme Arnott and Ross Piper had been chosen on the basis of their experience as well as their success at First State Super and Christian Super, two very diverse funds which vary widely in terms of size and membership.

“Ross Piper has a long history of serving not-for-profit as well as corporate businesses. His career began working with indigenous communities and the mining sector – he went on to become Head of Corporate Risk for Macquarie Group before moving back to a not-for-profit as COO of World Vision Australia. He is currently CEO of Christian Super, a role he has held since January 2019,” she said.

Jane Perry said that Graeme Arnott brings to the Board of FEAL extensive corporate experience, at First State Super, as CEO of StatePlus and currently as Deputy CEO of First State Super.

“Graeme is also a Fellow of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and has been an active and passionate advocate for improving education and professional standards in financial planning.”

“Both Graeme and Ross have had long careers in superannuation and the not-for-profit sector – across a range of organisations and funds – and have a deep understanding of how best to offer our members professional development and education – and a new perspective on what such initiatives might look like,” she said.

Jane Perry went on to thank Joe Farrugia and Doug Carmichael for their contribution to the Board. Doug Carmichael has been a FEAL mentor as part of the FEAL Mentoring Initiative since 2015 and a Board member since 2018.

Joe Farrugia was appointed a founding FEAL Director in 1999 and served as Deputy Chair of the Board for the majority of his 20-year tenure.

“Joe’s contribution to FEAL cannot be overstated. He was made a Life Member of FEAL at the 2019 FEAL national conference, and it gives me great pleasure to publicly acknowledge his constant and guiding presence on the Board, and the pivotal role he has played in many of FEAL’s most important initiatives,” she said.

In conclusion, Jane Perry said that she is excited about the future of FEAL and the contribution she expects the new Directors to make.

“Superannuation, like financial services generally, is very much in the spotlight now, and in this period of constant change, professional development and on-going education is more important than ever.”

“I feel very confident that Graeme and Ross will make a significant contribution as we pursue our vision of being the chosen provider of leadership development for today’s executives and tomorrow’s leaders,” Jane Perry said.

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