Aware Super elevates technology chief to executive team

The super fund has appointed long-serving technology leader Richard Exton to its executive team, underscoring the fund’s digital transformation priorities.

Aware Super has appointed Richard Exton as group executive, chief technology and data officer, effective 1 November 2025, reporting directly to chief executive officer Deanne Stewart.

“Aware is focused on maintaining our strong reputation as an industry leader in digital by continuing to enhance our personalised member experience, and remaining vigilant about our cybersecurity protections,” Stewart said.

The appointment elevates technology, data and AI leadership to the executive team, recognising its critical role in delivering better outcomes for the fund’s 1.2 million members and supporting Aware Super’s strategic priorities to 2030.

During his eight years with Aware Super, Exton has been instrumental in major transformations, including the 2023 insourcing of the fund’s administration with significant digital capability uplift, and its platform modernisation that reduced technology infrastructure by a third while enhancing member self-service.

Stewart said the 200-strong technology team will “continue to embed AI and digital innovation across the business to deliver even more personalised and secure digital experiences for Aware Super members, with an unwavering focus on retirement outcomes.”

“Richard’s leadership will continue to be instrumental as we accelerate our digital capabilities and ensure technology remains a key enabler of member outcomes and competitive advantage for Aware Super,” she added.

“This appointment demonstrates how integral AI, data and technology is in supporting our strategic priorities to 2030.”

Under his leadership, female representation has grown to 35 per cent of Aware Super’s technology workforce.

Exton achieved fourth place nationally and first in financial services in Australia’s CIO50 Awards, with his team recognised as Australia’s Best Technology Team for Culture in 2024.

Exton brings three decades of experience delivering transformational outcomes across global financial services, including senior technology roles at Macquarie Group, ANZ Bank, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia across APAC markets.

He holds a masters in financial technology from UNSW and a graduate certificate of commercial law from Deakin University and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.