The 2025-26 financial year has been characterised by high-profile leadership movements, driven by the transformation of the superannuation space and increased public scrutiny.
Claire Tate, managing director of financial services recruitment firm Keegan Adams, said the superannuation roles have changed dramatically from their previous responsibilities.
Speaking to Super Review, she said: “C-suite roles have undergone dramatic transformation. Previously, a CIO or COO could be heavily focused on investment or operations. Today they have half a dozen priorities to address all at once. They must simultaneously navigate regulatory scrutiny, tech transformation, cybersecurity, retirement solutions strategy and member expectations, and have the deep experience and know-how to balance and succeed at every one.
“Meanwhile boards are demanding that leaders build and retain teams for the next phase of the industry – in a market where talent is tight. The pressure is immense. And at smaller funds these huge pressures are on the team to deliver with minimal resources.”
Read on to see the year’s movements:
HESTA
HESTA chief executive Debby Blakey announced her departure after a decade with the $100 billion fund in February.
As well as the exit of Blakey, chief operating officer Stephen Reilly left in June and it internally promoted Jeff Brunton to deputy chief investment officer and Kate Misic from Telstra Super as head of portfolio design.
ESSSuper
ESSSuper chief executive Robbie Campo announced in April that she will become Blakey’s replacement at HESTA from August. The emergency services-focused is yet to announce Campo’s replacement as CEO.
legalsuper
legalsuper announced both its chief executive, Luke Symons, and its chief investment officer, Andrew Lill, would be departing the fund. Symons went on to join Equip Super while Lill joined a not-for-profit based in Western Australia. Legalsuper went on to appoint chief financial officer Michael Gogorosis as interim chief executive.
Equip Super
Equip Super’s chief executive Scott Cameron announced in October he would be leaving the super fund and was replaced by Marc Pizzichetta on an interim basis. It subsequently appointed legalsuper’s Luke Symons for the CEO role from 1 July.
AMP
Alexis George announced in January she would step down as CEO of the AMP Group after five years and was replaced by the firm’s chief financial officer Blair Vernon in March 2026.
Brighter Super
Chief investment officer Mark Rider departed the super fund in December after four years with the fund appointing David O’Donnell to succeed him on an interim basis while it searches for a permanent replacement. The fund subsequently appointed Damien Webb from Aware Super, where he had been deputy CIO, to replace Rider from April 2026.
First Super
Bill Watson announced his departure from industry fund First Super in January after 13 years to join BUSSQ as chief investment officer. In his place, First Super appointed Greg Everett to the leadership role in an acting capacity. It also appointed Michael McQueen from Prime Super as head of investments, replacing Chris Artis.
Prime Super
Former Brighter Super chief investment officer Mark Rider joined Prime Super as general manager, investments, succeeding Michael McQueen, who left the fund in June to become head of investments at First Super.
REI Super
With just days until the end of the financial year, industry fund REI Super announced that chief executive Jarrod Coysh would depart after seven years. Coysh will leave the fund to become chief executive at GMHBA, the profit-to-member private health insurer.
