David Whiteley has been appointed president of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), with the IFM Investors executive taking over from outgoing HESTA chief executive Debby Blakey.
Whiteley joined the ACSI board last year as IFM Investors’ representative in his role as global head of external relations and has now stepped into the top board role at the super fund investor advocacy body.
ACSI chief executive Louise Davidson said Whiteley brought deep experience in the profit-to-member sector and a strong background in responsible investment.
“David has a wealth of experience in, and a strong commitment to, profit-to-member superannuation,” Davidson said.
“He will bring his expertise in responsible investment and strong history of working collectively to his role as ACSI President. The ACSI team and I very much look forward to working with him.”
Whiteley said the appointment came at a time when stewardship and governance remained critical for long-term investors, particularly amid heightened global uncertainty.
“Strong governance and responsible stewardship by long-term investors is always essential, and in times of global turbulence, it’s even more important funds work to protect investment value for the millions of working people ACSI’s members serve,” Whiteley said.
“I’m proud to take on this role and continue supporting ACSI’s critical work.”
The leadership handover follows Blakey’s decision earlier this year to step down from her roles at both HESTA and ACSI, after serving as ACSI president since 2021.
Davidson credited Blakey with helping shape the organisation’s focus on financially material sustainability and governance issues during her tenure.
“Debby has been a champion for ACSI and for managing the financially material sustainability and governance issues we deal with,” Davidson said.
“Most importantly, she has consistently brought the voice of super fund members into every consideration. On behalf of the ACSI community I want to thank Debby for her significant contribution to ACSI’s success.”
Blakey said ACSI remained an important force in shareholder accountability and said Whiteley was well placed to continue that work.
“ACSI plays a vital role in holding Australia’s listed companies to account on the issues that matter most to long-term investors. I am delighted to be handing over the presidency to David, and confident ACSI will continue to be a passionate and influential voice for change under his leadership.
“It has been a privilege to serve as ACSI President, and I leave the role enormously proud of what the organisation has achieved.”
Whiteley is IFM Investors’ global head of external relations, where he manages the firm’s relationships with shareholder pension funds as well as stakeholder, government and public relations strategy, policy and research.
Before joining IFM, he spent 12 years as founding chief executive of Industry Super Australia, leading its advocacy efforts on superannuation policy and member outcomes.
