Queensland-based industry superannuation fund, Energy Super has moved to take further control of its investment strategy, announcing this week that it had created the position of General Manager, Investments.
Announcing the move, Energy Super chief executive, Robyn Petrou said the decision to create the position had followed the fund's strong investment performance for 2013-14.
Petrou attributed her fund's solid financial year returns to maintaining an active approach to managing the investment portfolio.
"The majority of public equity managers outperforming their benchmarks, and a strong performance from the Fund's Real Estate assets, through active management all assisted in achieving this positive member outcome," she said.
Petrou said the creation of the General Manager, Investments role would further provide Energy Super with the robust platform it needed for the next anticipated level of growth.
"During the past five years, Energy Super's funds under management has grown from $2.4 billion to more than $5 billion, she said. "During the same period, the industry has changed enormously, we have implemented mandate arrangements, brought our cash management in-house, and our membership engagement has become stronger as our member's sophistication and knowledge has increased."
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.