Super Review rounds up last month’s biggest people moves in the superannuation industry, including a new fund chair and a private markets head.
October saw several C-suite roles at funds including Australian Retirement Trust, Aware Super and Rest.
See below for the biggest moves:
Australian Retirement Trust (ART) has announced Helen Rowell has been appointed as the fund’s new chair, set to succeed Andrew Fraser. Rowell is set to commence her term as chair on 21 November 2025, having first been an independent director of ART since April 2024.
She is currently the chair of the risk committee with the super fund. She previously held senior roles with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) spanning over two decades, which included 10 years as an executive board member and deputy chair.
Allianz Retire+ appoints CEO in leadership shake-up
Having worked in the role as acting CEO since July 2025, following the departure of Adrian Stewart after four years, David Kane has been confirmed as CEO. He initially joined Allianz in 2019 as chief operating officer following 18 years at Macquarie Group, working across wealth management and banking.
Super fund CEO announces plans to step down
Equip Super’s CEO, Scott Cameron, has announced he will be stepping down from his role next year. Cameron led the $34 billion Equip Super for the past six years, where he oversaw a period of significant growth and transformation for the fund.
Equip Super confirmed Cameron will continue to lead the organisation for the time being, while it searches for his successor. The transition to a new CEO is expected to take place in March 2026.
Aware Super names CIO after global headhunt
The $205 billion super fund Aware Super has appointed Simon Warner as chief investment officer (CIO) following a global search to replace outgoing Damian Graham.
After 12 years as CIO, Graham announced his intention to step down from the role in May to become head of international, with plans to retire completely within the next few years. Warner, who joined Aware Super in 2023 as head of portfolio management, will lead the fund’s 160-person investment team.
Australian Ethical names new COO
Ethical investment manager and super fund Australian Ethical has announced the appointment of Anthony Lane as chief operating officer (COO). Most recently, Lane has been consulting to $300 billion super fund Australian Retirement Trust.
His prior experience includes serving as COO at MLC Wealth, global COO at Mercer Investments, and group executive, risk & governance at Colonial First State. His Australian Ethical role involves managing Australian Ethical’s daily operations and leading strategic initiatives to enhance growth, resilience, and efficiency.
Rest appoints private markets head
Industry superannuation fund Rest appointed an interim head of private markets following the exit of Simon Esposito. Marina Pasika will take up the role, alongside her existing role leading the super fund’s growth alternatives division.
Esposito is set to leave Rest at the end of October, having announced his departure earlier this month. He had worked at the super fund for over a decade in a number of roles, including head of private markets and deputy chief investment officer.
