Changes and appointments
Australian Retirement Trust (ART) announces changes to leadership team, including creation of Chief of Retirement role
In March, ART announced changes to our executive structure to best position our $240 billion fund to deliver on our vision to be Australia’s most chosen and trusted retirement partner.
As part of the changes, there will be a newly created Chief of Retirement role to focus on the execution of ART’s retirement strategy and provide strategic leadership and guidance in the provision of all elements of the retirement offer, including product, investments, service model and advice.
ART announces new Board and Investment Committee appointments
Australian Retirement Trust has appointed several prominent Australian leaders to its Board of Directors and Investment Committee.
The three new appointments bring vast experience from leadership positions in global financial services, investments and governance roles.
The new appointments are:
- Mark Burgess – Mr Burgess will join ART as a Director of the ART Board and a Member of the Investment Committee in mid-2023. He is currently a board member and Investment Committee Chair of HESTA and will join ART after his term concludes at HESTA. Mr Burgess is a former Managing Director of the Future Fund. He has held roles as both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for major investors and financial institutions internationally and in Australia.
- Linda Apelt – Ms Apelt joins as a Director of the ART Board. Ms Apelt is formerly the Agent-General for Queensland in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Queensland in Europe and Sub-Sahara Africa. Ms Apelt is currently the Chair of Opera Queensland and a Member of the Griffith University Council. She previously served as a Director on the QSuper Board of Trustees from 2001–2005 and as Director-General of the Departments of Housing and Community Services.
- Guy Debelle – Dr Debelle joins as external Adviser to the ART Investment Committee. Dr Debelle worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia for 25 years, including as Deputy Governor for 6 years. He also recently held a role as Chief Financial Officer and he is a director at global green energy company Fortescue Future Industries. Dr Debelle previously chaired the climate change working group of the Australian Council of Financial Regulators.
ART Awarded Multisector Fund Manager of the Year
In February, ART was awarded “Fund Manager of the Year – Multisector” at the 2023 Morningstar Australia Awards.
Morningstar recognised ART for its established and capable team with the ability and scale to invest in long-term assets that aren’t easily obtainable.
As per Morningstar, the longer-term performance has been sound; and while the nearer-term uptick has largely come via unlisted assets, additional internal scrutiny over valuations provides some reassurance. Overall, the asset-allocation process is suitably thorough and robust.
Morningstar Awards 2023©. Morningstar, Inc All Rights Reserved. Awarded to Australian Retirement Trust for Fund Manager of the Year – Multisector, Australia.
ART welcomes objective of super
Australian Retirement Trust (ART) strongly supports the public consultation on the proposed review of the objective of super.
“Australian Retirement Trust sees the purpose of super as creating a retirement income stream along with other retirement benefits for the 16 million working Australians so they can retire well, with confidence,” said ART CEO, Bernard Reilly.
Mergers
ART and AvSuper sign MoU to merge
In February, ART entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with AvSuper to bring 5,300 members and $2 billion in funds under management to ART via Successor Fund Transfer.
Commonwealth Bank Group Super (Group Super) has chosen ART as its preferred merger partner
In February, ART entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Group Super to bring 67,000 members and $12.3 billion in funds under management to ART via Successor Fund Transfer.
Alcoa of Australia Retirement Plan (Alcoa Super) announces intention to carry out a Successor Fund Transfer (SFT) with ART
In March, ART entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Alcoa Super to bring 5,000 members and over $2 billion in funds under management to ART via Successor Fund Transfer.
ART and the three above funds will now commence comprehensive due diligence processes, and any potential mergers will only progress if the funds determine that doing so would be in each of their members’ best interests.
In the meantime, our focus remains on providing the best possible retirement outcomes for our more than 2.2 million members across Australia.
Annual Members’ Meeting
Did you miss the ART Annual Members’ Meeting?
Watch our recording and hear from Chair Andrew Fraser, Chief Executive Officer Bern Reilly, and Chief Investment Officer Ian Patrick about the operations of the super fund in 2021–22.