Joanna Davison

FEAL has partnered with La Trobe Financial for the next three years in operating the CIO & COO Awards and has announced the date for this year’s Awards ceremony.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014 is set for the industry’s Annual National Awards for Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Awards, established in 2011 by La Trobe Financial, a leading credit specialist Fund Manager, aim at recognising excellence and continued professional development in the superannuation industry.

The Awards are the only one of their kind and have proved to be very popular with industry participants, because they are personal and reward recipients with a study grant of $10,000 each. “The two of us working together felt like a natural fit” said FEAL CEO Joanna Davison, …”like the FEAL Fund Executive of the year Awards, the La Trobe Financial FEAL CIO & COO Awards will complement our current recognition of industry leaders”. These Awards recognise the important achievements of key executives responsible for the retirement savings of our fellow Australians.

FEAL will now takeover the running of the Awards with La Trobe Financial as lead Sponsor. The Awards cocktail format will be retained and will continue to benefit from the independent Awards Judging panel which includes Greg Bright as Awards panel Chair, Greg O’Neill (La Trobe Financial), Chris Page (Rainmaker), Jeff Bresnahan (SuperRatings), David Coogan (PwC), and Neil Cochrane (Chairman of FEAL).

Applications will open at the end of June and can be accessed through the FEAL website or www.CIOCOOAwards.com.au.

The La Trobe Financial FEAL CIO & COO Awards are open to staff in like positions at fiduciary funds, including superannuation funds, government funds, statutory insurance funds, and multi-managers funds.

Last year’s winners were Gerald Parlevliet, the CIO of the big corporate superannuation fund for Commonwealth Bank staff, Commonwealth Bank Group Super, who won Chief Investment Officer of the Year.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Year was won by Graeme Arnott, the COO of the NSW Government fund, First State Super. The award ceremony was attended by over 150 industry participants. Joanna Davison, CEO of FEAL said the FEAL Board is excited to be taking on the CIO & COO Awards as they believe these Awards are very important for industry. Davison stated “FEAL is proud to be able to take on these important Awards with La Trobe Financial and to see the Awards move to the next level. The Awards encourage decision makers to continue to pursue world’s best practice investment and operational strategies and processes in our superannuation industry. The continually changing regulatory and investment environment present challenges for investment professionals, and the La Trobe Financial FEAL CIO & COO Awards recognise the important responsibility placed on CIOs and COOs in our industry.”

La Trobe Financial as lead Sponsor, will also sponsor the prize money of $20,000. Greg O’Neill, La Trobe Financial’s President & CEO stated “joining forces with FEAL was the right partnership for us, as FEAL has a special focus on recognising efforts made by decision makers looking after our retirement savings. It is clear to us that our retirement savings are in good hands, and from what we have seen over the past decade their performance has been exemplary and deserves recognition.”

The Awards will continue the same format and the winners will be announced at a cocktail party scheduled for Tuesday, 11 November 2014.

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FEAL Chair Neil Cochrane said: “Michael has made an enormous contribution to FEAL over the past 12 years, and leaves the Association in a very healthy position.

“Under his leadership FEAL has provided fund executives with unique opportunities to learn and develop and to extend their professional network. In Michael’s time as CEO, FEAL established the industry’s first Masters Degree in Leadership (in partnership with Melbourne Business School), initiated the Fund Executive of the Year Award recognizing outstanding leadership in super, founded a mentoring initiative, several international scholarships and has delivered many successful Forums and Conferences. As a result we are well placed to continue to build on Michael’s legacy. The FEAL Board thank Michael most sincerely and wish him continued success in his career,” said Neil Cochrane.

Michael Baldwin said: “It has been an incredible privilege for me to work with fund executives around Australia. FEAL has, and will continue to play, an important role in supporting the development of the superannuation industry. With a membership representing a significant portion of Australia’s retirement savings (forecast to grow to $4 trillion in the next 10 years*) the influence of the sector, in dollar-terms, will soon eclipse that of the Australian banking system. FEAL will support its members in preparing for the responsibilities and obligations that come with trust on a significant scale. “

Neil Cochrane said: “We are fortunate to have secured the support of Joanna Davison as interim CEO while we search for a suitable replacement for Michael. Joanna has been a valued friend and associate of FEAL for many years and brings extensive knowledge, industry networks and experience in stakeholder management.”

Michael leaves FEAL to take up the position of Assistant Director, Development, Marketing and Commercial Operations at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Prior to joining FEAL, Michael held senior positions at the Powerhouse Museum (Sydney) and the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

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Robyn Petrou

Energy Super’s Robyn Petrou has been named the winner of the 12th Annual Fund Executive of the Year Award by the Fund Executive Association Limited (FEAL), in partnership with AMP Capital.

The prestigious award recognises outstanding leadership, innovation and achievement by a fund executive within the Australian superannuation industry.

The Fund Executive of the Year Award was presented last night at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne. FEAL has been providing dedicated support to the professional development of leaders in superannuation for the past 14 years.

Energy Super’s Chief Executive Officer Robyn Petrou was selected for demonstrating exceptional leadership through the launch and growth of Energy Super and spearheading an internal review of processes and systems to align the new fund with its members.

AMP Capital’s Head of Institutional Business John Meagher said Ms Petrou had shown considerable leadership and strategic vision to navigate the fund through a period of considerable change and challenges for the industry.

“Robyn has focused on the needs of its members and the opportunities for growth. She continues to provide certainty for Energy Super’s members through her clear and decisive leadership and dedicated member services,” Mr Meagher said.

Ms Petrou was selected for the award by a panel of industry leaders and peers. As part of FEAL and AMP Capital’s commitment to supporting professional development, Ms Petrou will receive a $20,000 education grant to study at an internationally recognised business school.

On winning the award Ms Petrou said: “I am overwhelmed to have been named the Fund Executive of the Year and am deeply honoured to be recognised by my peers in the superannuation industry. It is a tribute to the fantastic work of the Energy Super team.”

FEAL’s Independent Chairman Neil Cochrane said: “Robyn is a wonderful role model and example of a leading fund executive. Her integrity, focus and innovative vision demonstrate her commitment and leadership of Energy Super and she is a worthy recipient of the award.”

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