The industry leading fintech company completed a capital raise in March that will enable the business to play an important role in making financial advice more accessible to everyday Australians, by improving the advice workflow burdens embedded within the advice process.

As part of the expansion, Michelle Russo has joined the business as chief operating officer and will be responsible for the investment operations and client services teams as well as bringing key projects to market. Russo was previously at ANZ and has held senior roles across a variety of institutions.

“I’m excited to be joining an innovative and highly client focused group, and a dynamic leadership team.  I see real opportunity in DASH’s strategy to provide sophisticated and more efficient solutions for advisers and their clients.” says Russo.

Russo will apply her extensive experience in superannuation, most recently at StatePlus, to DASH’s superannuation offering, Super Simplifier. Together with Mark Blair, who’s joined the team as a superannuation specialist, she will manage product enhancements to ensure the super product remains competitive and is a suitable solution for advisers looking to implement a low fee product for their clients.

Blair previously held the position of Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office at Equity Trustees and has experience in similar roles at KPMG and RiceWarner.

DASH CEO, Andrew Whelan comments “Getting the right people in the business is crucial right now. We are on track to deliver some innovative and exciting solutions for advisers that we believe will be a positive addition to any advice practice.”

Whelan continues, “These new hires are in line with our growth strategy and with our mission to provide better advice tools and investment execution to the market. Having a smooth tech stack where all elements integrate seamlessly, and from A-Z, is what will be the game-changer for better staff satisfaction, less administration burdens, and happier clients.”

DASH is delivering innovation and integration to the financial advice community by joining traditional financial planning software and investment platform execution into one solution. The DASH Advice Tools can be used standalone, as modular add-ons or as a fully integrated advice technology suite.

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Mr Godfrey replaces Mark Blair, who was responsible for reshaping the highly successful superannuation business to focus on independent outsourced trusteeship in the superannuation sector.  The strategy underpinned the growth in the business of funds under supervision from $1bn to $40bn over the five years since Mr Blair was appointed to the role.

“Andrew comes to Equity Trustees with 30+ years of experience in financial services, including leadership roles across superannuation, wealth, financial advice and insurance. His experience has spanned operations, technology, leadership of master trusts, client delivery, transformation and change and risk, and most recently consulting to the sector,” said Managing Director Mick O’Brien.

Mr Godfrey previously held roles with Mercer where he was COO – Operations and Technology for the Asia Pacific region, COO (Australia/NZ), Head of Transformation, and Head of Financial Services. He was also COO at life insurance company AIA in the mid 2000’s – and prior to 2010 held various senior management roles at Mercer and Plum Financial Services.

Mr Blair is exploring continuing to work with the superannuation business as an independent adviser and consultant.

“We are fortunate to have this exceptional expertise and experience to continue the growth story for our specialist superannuation trustee service, which has included the acquisition of Zurich Australian Super and trustee appointments to AIA (Comminsure) in 2019, followed by HUB24 Super Fund and AMP Life super funds in 2020,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Andrew inherits a capable and strong leadership team, excellent clients and clear direction. We believe the market we have established for superannuation trusteeship is ripe with opportunity – and our business will continue to go from strength to strength as a result.

“We thank Mark for the critical role he has played in the establishment and growth of the business so far, and welcome Andrew to Equity Trustees,” Mr O’Brien concluded.

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Mick O’Brien

Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) has been appointed as independent super trustee of The Aracon Superannuation Fund (ASF), overseeing the $400 million master trust.

The latest announcement follows Equity Trustees’ super trustee appointments including HUB24’s Super Fund, AMP Life’s superannuation funds and by AIA to oversee their superannuation funds.

“We are really pleased to see a further appointment for our superannuation trustee business.  There is no question this is a growth part of our specialist trustee business and there is strong interest in our credentials as pure independent professional trustee with scale and capability to deal with any level of complexity,” said Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien.

Executive General Manager of Equity Trustees’ Superannuation Trustee Office, Mark Blair, said: “We have focused on building-out our technical and professional capability, with a number of new professionals joining the team in recent months, to ensure we are the preferred independent trustee for Australian super funds.”

“The appointment to act as trustee for the Aracon Superannuation Fund is another great addition to our rapidly growing superannuation trustee business. We look forward to working towards ensuring the best member outcomes can be achieved now and, in the future,” Mr Blair concluded.

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Joining the STO, is former head of the TAL Trustee Office, Stephen Graham as Head of Transformation, and former head of superannuation business development at Colonial First State, Scott Waller as Senior Client Account Manager.

Specialist appointments include Sarah Adinsall and Rupert Butterworth in the Insurance team, Duncan McPherson (Compliance) and Lisa Yeung (Oversight and Risk).

“Equity Trustees is growing to become recognised as the leading provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia and we have increasing demands on our office as a result. With our focus on member interests, it makes sense that we will invest in the best quality expertise to support the high standard or service members are relying on us for,” said Mark Blair, STO Executive General Manager.

The new recruits join in the wake of two recent major announcements – the appointment of George Zielinski to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) Board, and appointment as superannuation trustee for the AMP Life superannuation funds.

“Being a superannuation trustee is a privileged role but comes with an array of technical complexities of governance and regulation. With many Australians seeking early access to their superannuation savings due to economic conditions, now more than ever, specialist superannuation trustee experience is essential,” he said.

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Following last week’s announcement of ETSL’s appointment as superannuation trustee for AMP Life superannuation funds, Equity Trustees is fast becoming recognised as the leading provider of superannuation trustee services in Australia.

Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “George is highly-regarded as a leader in the superannuation industry. Most recently he was appointed interim CIO of Rest to assist the $57bn fund through restructuring its investment governance framework, but his association goes back to 1997 when he established Super Investment Management (SIM) to act as a wholly owned arms-length investment manager of Rest which at the time had assets of $1.3bn.”

Prior to the establishment of SIM, Mr Zielinski held roles with VFMC (Victorian Funds Management Corp) and SECV Super (now known as EquipSuper). Between 1985 and 1995 while in the electricity sector, he played an integral role in the creation of five electricity distribution businesses following the restructure of the SECV.

“The role of a skilled superannuation trustee is critical to a robust, secure superannuation system and requires leaders who understand the dynamics of investment and member outcomes and the technical complexities of governance and regulation,” said Tony Lally, Chairman of both Boards.

“Recent market volatility and the impacts of COVID-19, including unprecedented numbers of people accessing part of their superannuation early, alongside an inherently complex regulatory environment means that now more than ever, specialist superannuation trustee experience is essential,” Mr Lally said.

George Zielinski joins fellow independent directors Paul Rogan (ETSL Board only), Sue Everingham, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), and executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O’Brien (Managing Director, Equity Trustees) on both Boards.

“We congratulate George on his appointment and look forward to his contribution as we continue to focus on securing members’ interests,” concluded Mr Lally.

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Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “Paul has excellent experience and qualifications – the right mix of capability for a Board which has responsibility for more than $8bn of funds under supervision for nearly 230,000 superannuation members.”

Paul is a senior financial services executive with a proven track record for delivering results having successfully managed businesses through rapid growth phases and complex change. He held senior roles at Challenger Limited, National Australia Group (Wealth Management), Lendlease / MLC and the NRMA Building Society. In addition, he has more than 25 years’ experience in serving on entity boards and industry groups.

“The role of a specialist superannuation trustee is essential to the integrity of our superannuation system which maintains millions of Australians in retirement,” said Tony Lally, Chairman, ETSL Board.

“Members must have confidence in the superannuation trustee responsible for their fund so they can trust that their interests are being properly looked after – and part of that is engaging the best expertise on the Board of our market leading specialist trustee business.”

Paul Rogan joins Sue Everingham, who was appointed in February 2019, fellow independent directors Catherine Robson, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), and executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O’Brien (Managing Director, Equity Trustees) on the ETSL Board.

“Equity Trustees congratulates Paul on his appointment and look forward to his contribution as we continue to raise the standard in securing members’ interests,” concluded Mr Lally.

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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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“Justin brings exceptional knowledge and experience of prudential supervision across businesses in the superannuation, insurance and banking sectors, having spent more than seven years at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA),” said Mark Blair, Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

The STO is currently growing to meet increasing demand, recently launching a recruitment campaign and making a number of senior appointments, including David Warren in client relationship management, and Sue Everingham to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board.

 “In a heightened risk environment, the role of a super trustee is amplified because of its responsibility of looking out for the best interests of hundreds of thousands of members investing in superannuation for their retirement. It makes sense that Australia’s leading specialist trustee, with 130 years of trustee experience, is so well placed to serve this very important specialist area of trusteeship in superannuation,” Mr Blair said.

Justin was at APRA from 2012, moving from analyst roles into leadership in the team focussed on supervisory activities across a range of APRA regulated industries including superannuation, insurance and banking. Prior to APRA he held a management position at the Endeavour Foundation. He has a Master of Applied Finance, BA (Commerce) and BA (International Business).

“We congratulate Justin on his appointment and welcome him to Equity Trustees, where his strong experience in risk management and governance, and deep understanding of regulatory and compliance in superannuation will further strengthen our service to members,” Mr Blair concluded.

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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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