Two distinguished individuals are set to join the Australian Retirement Trust (ART) board, enhancing the fund's governance and succession planning. Dr. Martin Parkinson AC, the current Chancellor of Macquarie University, will assume the role of Independent Director. Dr. Parkinson brings a wealth of experience, having served in key government positions such as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Secretary to the Australian Treasury, and inaugural Secretary of the Department of Climate Change. He has also served on the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Also joining ART's board is Helen Rowell, who will serve as an Independent Director. Rowell brings over two decades of experience from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), where she held various roles, including ten years as an executive Board member and Deputy Chair. Her expertise spans across both superannuation and insurance sectors, further enriching ART's leadership team.
Andrew Fraser, Chair of ART, emphasized that these appointments are a reflection of the evolving needs of the fund as it continues to support an increasing number of members in their retirement journey. With Dr. Parkinson and Helen Rowell on board, ART aims to provide its members with enhanced confidence and support as they plan for retirement.
“The appointments of Helen and Martin are outstanding additions to the ART board, and further strengthen our expertise in a wide-range of areas, including climate risk management, cyber security, insurance and governance,” Mr Fraser said.
“Our fund is growing every day, now looking after more than $280 billion worth of retirement savings for our members. Helen and Martin bring exceptional and deep national and international experience to our board, and I look forward to working with them as we steward the fund on behalf of our more than 2.3 million members.”
These Director appointments replace vacancies that arise from Georgina Williams and Michael Traill’s AM decision to not renominate and to conclude their terms as directors.
Mr Fraser thanked Mr Traill and Ms Williams for their service to ART.
“Both have been valued members of the board of ART, and prior to the merger, of Sunsuper. I want to thank them for their work, for their support as colleagues, and for their role in helping make the merger a reality,” he said.
Both new appointments will be effective early next month. In addition, Mark Burgess, appointed to the Board of ART last year has been appointed Chair of the ART Investment Committee as part of the planned changes to board composition.
Source: Australian Retirement Trust
