Aware Super advice exec departs

Sarah Forman, Aware Super group executive for advice, is set to depart from the fund after almost five years in the role.

Forman’s 35-year career has spanned financial services, operations, marketing, product, strategy, and program management.  

She first joined First State Super as group executive advice in 2019 and remained in the role through its eventual merger with VicSuper in 2020 to become Aware Super.

Before this, she spent more than a decade with BT Financial Group, across a number of leadership roles, including as national head of advice.

“For the last five years, Aware Super has had the privilege of Sarah’s outstanding leadership,” said CEO Deanne Stewart.

“Under her direction and counsel, we’ve integrated our advice team and offering into a consolidated member engagement, education and advice business to the benefit of our 1.1 million members.

“Sarah has also led her teams with a deep understanding of the importance of delivering super helpful advice and guidance to our members, which has further embedded a members-first culture at our organisation.”

Forman said: “It’s been really rewarding to play a key role in the transformation of Aware Super and play such a hands-on role in ensuring our members can access the advice and guidance services they need to prepare for and enjoy their best possible retirement.

“It’s been a privilege to redefine how advice can be offered and delivered for all Australians and I look forward to seeing how the industry continues to adapt over the coming years to come.”

Earlier this year Aware Super announced an executive restructure that saw Sally Collins join the fund in the newly expanded chief operating officer (COO) role.

In February, Aware said that all other changes as part of the executive restructure would occur internally, with incumbent COO Jo Brennan taking on the newly created role of group executive, member engagement and advice.

Moreover, group executive, member growth Steve Travis retained his role with significantly expanded scope, while chief of staff and group executive for Victoria Katrina McPhee now leads a newly created communications, public affairs, and advocacy team.

The changes came after the fund announced its completion of the last major tranche of its multi-year digital transformation program, a move that Aware said positions it for growth and innovation for better member outcomes.