The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has appointed two new directors to its board, after having completed its annual board nomination and election process.
General manager of MLC Masterkey, Dean Thomas, and chief executive officer of Telstra Super, Martin Crowe, have joined the board as representatives of the retail sector and corporate funds respectively.
ASFA chief, Pauline Vamos, said the 10 board members reflected ASFA's five membership categories: industry funds, public sector, service providers, retail sector and corporate funds.
The new ASFA board is now comprised of the following members: Sunsuper chief Tony Lally and Cbus chief David Atkin, representing industry funds; Michael Dwyer - chief executive officer of First State Super and Brad Holzberger - chief executive officer of QSuper, representing the public sector; service providers Jim Minto (managing director of TAL Limited) and Peter Beck (Pillar Administration chief executive officer); Dean Thomas and Colonial First State Investments general manager strategy, Nicolette Rubinsztein representing the retail sector; and Martin Crowe and Harwood Superannuation Fund chief Roslyn Ramwell from corporate funds.
"ASFA will have significant challenges over the next 12 months dealing with Stronger Super implementation but also dealing with policy development issues around post-retirement and other economic and social policy issues," Vamos said.
"ASFA would also like to take this opportunity and to give very special thanks to board members that retired today - Jane Paskin of Clayton Utz and Janet Torney of QANTAS Superannuation," Vamos added.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.