Super SA welcomes new chief

Dini Soulio has joined Super SA as its new chief executive seven months after the fund first began its search for a new CEO.

Dascia Bennett – who took over the role in December 2017 – stepped down in August, with Patrick McAvaney stepping into the position in a temporary capacity while Super SA searched for a replacement.

Bennett had already extended her time at the fund in order to embed Fund Selection in November 2022 that allows South Australian public sector workers to choose if they want to direct their South Australian government employer contributions.

She said: “I have made a difficult personal decision to step down from my role as CE at Super SA, as I felt it was time for me to return to Sydney to be in the same state as my partner who has been incredibly supportive of me in my tenure at Super SA.

“I extended my time with the fund to ensure we had successfully embedded Fund Selection, which was critical for staff and members and I am pleased to leave the organisation in the best possible position having just entered a competitive environment.”

During Bennett’s tenure, the fund was subject to a report by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in September 2022 of its practices, policies, and procedures.

No allegations or evidence of corruption were uncovered, but ICAC felt there were a “number of risks which, if left unaddressed, might enable corruption to occur”, and made 24 recommendations to allow the fund to address these risks.

Soulio joins the fund after nearly 10 years as commissioner for consumer affairs, commissioner for corporate affairs, liquor and gambling commissioner, and commissioner for prices.

During this time, he also led operations and leadership of Consumer and Business Services with the Attorney-General’s Department.

Previously, he held regulatory roles with the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and spent two years as a solicitor in private practice.

“He is a highly respected public sector executive leader and brings experience in managing a broad and complex portfolio to the role,” Super SA said in a statement.