Russell Investments has targeted industry and government funds with the launch of a new consulting service.
Russell Future Proofing Consulting (RFPC) will offer advice and solutions to assist industry and government funds retain members during this period of regulatory change.
To lead the new service and a team of 15, Russell has appointed former AMP Capital Investors executive Michael Clarke as managing director, industry and government funds.
Chief executive for Australasia, Chris Corneil, said the new appointment and service will help funds with governance issues, developing retirement solutions for members and MySuper requirements.
He said one of the major issues for funds leading up to legislative change has been the prospect of scale requirements for MySuper products, which has left some funds feeling that mergers are the only option.
Corneil said one alternative could be keeping the existing fund but outsourcing fixed costs, while areas like product development and member services can be made more cost-effective.
A major super fund has defended its use of private markets in a submission to ASIC, asserting that appropriate governance and information-sharing practices are present in both public and private markets.
A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.