The appointment is in response to growing demand for broader superannuation services by Australian employers.
Based in Sydney, Dawson has been appointed to the new role of managing director of Russell’s Member Services in Australia. She will report to the managing director of Russell in Australasia, Alan Schoenheimer. In this role, Dawson will oversee Russell’s interactions with members of superannuation funds who outsource administration and investment services to Russell, ultimately ensuring Russell delivers the best possible member experience.
“We are delighted to welcome Heather to the Australian office at this critical time for our clients and the members of our master trust,” Schoenheimer said.
Dawson joined Russell’s head office in Tacoma, Washington, to provide overall leadership for Russell Investment Services, dedicated to serving Russell’s US financial planning relationships. She was also responsible for business development of Russell’s mutual fund distribution business for retirement plans in the US markets.
Prior to joining Russell, Dawson worked for Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa, where she worked directly with retirement plan members, including delivering worksite enrolment and investment seminars nationwide to thousands of individuals. Later, she provided strategic direction and development of Principal’s successful member education divisions.
“Superannuation has shifted from an employer-driven benefit to one in which employees now need to take on a major responsibility. The ‘individualisation’ of the industry will mean we need to ensure our members have the tools and support to ensure they can make the best financial decision for their future retirement needs. This will be a key part of Heather’s new role,” continued Schoenheimer.
Tower Australia has appointed Michael Downey as the new head of Risk Products and Strategic Marketing, with responsibilities for the development and marketing of retail risk, group risk and alliance products.
Downey’s new role comes following the appointment of David Callander, chief exeucutive officer (CEO) for Risk in Australia and the elevation of Jim Minto to the position of Group CEO for Tower Limited.
Downey has more than 20 years experience in the Australian market and joined Tower in March 2003. He has been responsible for developing and relaunching Tower’s Retail and Group Risk Products during this period.
Downey sees his key challenges being to continue the positioning of Tower as the leading risk insurer in the Australian market, working closely with its current distribution partners, while at the same time exploring new distribution channels.
Invesco has announced the appointment of Anna Schofield to the position of National Account manager for the retail market.
She will be responsible for servicing retail research houses, major platforms and national distributors. Schofield will be located in Sydney, and have responsibility for Sydney and Melbourne-based groups.
Mick O’Brien, Invesco’s director of Retail Sales and Marketing, said: “The role is a new one, and reflects the strategic importance of developing Invesco’s retail business and the increasing demand Invesco is experiencing on the back of excellent investment performance of our key products.”
Schofield joins Invesco with extensive experience in the investment management industry, and in particular investment research. Prior to entering the financial services industry, Schofield was an economist for the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance.
Tower Australia has announced the appointment of Danny Maher as its new National Sales manager (Retail Distribution).
Maher takes on the role following the appointment of Jordan Hawke as head of Distribution and Sales Marketing for Tower. Maher will report directly to Hawke.
Maher has 23 years in the insurance industry, including 14 years in staff management and has a wealth of direct sales experience. He joined Tower in 1999, and most recently has been state sales manager, Tower Victoria.
Jonathan Webster and Bente Parkinson have been appointed as business development managers (BDM) with independent platform provider Netwealth. Their positions are in Victoria and Queensland respectively.
In his new role, Webster will be focusing on business development and relationship management in Victoria, working alongside Luke Broxton and Money Management Boutique BDM of the year, Matt Heine.
Webster began his financial services career in investor services and administration roles within Netwealth after a three year scholarship tuition in Queensland.
Parkinson has also joined Netwealth as a BDM in Queensland. Parkinson’s experience is as a financial adviser, running a practice under the Perth-based dealership, Wealthsure, since 1997.
