Aware Super is increasing its focus on technical education and adviser engagement, creating a new senior role to support financial advisers navigating increasingly complex retirement planning needs.
The super fund has appointed Troy Smith as senior manager, technical services, as it strengthens support for advisers working with members across retirement and superannuation strategies.
Smith will lead technical education initiatives for licensees and advisers through webinars, professional development sessions and industry events, while also providing technical guidance on more complex client matters involving the fund.
The appointment follows growing use of Aware Super’s adviser services and an increase in partnerships with licensees, according to the fund.
Smith joins after holding technical and adviser-facing roles at Insignia Financial and ANZ
/OnePath, including as national manager, technical services at Insignia. He most recently served as partnership disputes resolution manager at Zurich Australia.
Aware Super general manager growth and partnerships, Natalie Jarvis, said the fund viewed technical capability as increasingly important as adviser engagement continued expanding.
“As adviser engagement continues to grow, it’s critical we invest in deep technical capability that advisers can rely on,” she said.
“Troy brings extensive industry experience and a strong ability to translate complex technical issues into practical guidance, which will further enhance the support we provide to advisers and, ultimately, their clients.”
The role will sit within Aware Super’s Advice Relationships team, with Smith reporting to national manager advice relationships Warwick Gribble.
Jarvis said many members value tailored financial advice despite broader changes across the advice sector.
“We understand that advice is not one size fits all, and that many of our members value the personalised guidance that comes from working with a trusted financial adviser,” she said.
“Our role is to support that advice ecosystem by equipping advisers with strong local relationships, high-quality technical support and education, while ensuring members can access advice in the way that suits them best.”
