The winners of the inaugural Tyndall/Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) educational scholarships are Robert Fowler, head of investments at HESTA Super Fund, and Robin Jervis-Read, an employer director of Equipsuper.

The scholarships were announced last week by Brett Himbury, managing director of Tyndall, at an AIST lunch. Himbury said it was vital for all participants in financial services to continue to grow and develop professionally in order to properly serve the needs of their various clients. “Our collective clients entrust us as an industry to look after one of their most valuable assets, which will ultimately enable them to enjoy a comfortable retirement. “This is a tremendous responsibility which we well appreciate at Tyndall. We are proud to assist AIST by offering some of our resources and energy in these scholarships.” The two scholarships were introduced by AIST for its members – one for a trustee director and one for a fund staffer – to encourage ongoing professional development within the super fund industry. Each recipient can undertake courses, relevant to their role in the superannuation industry, up to the value of $10,000. Fowler will use the scholarship to undertake the Prince of Wales Business and Environment Programme, held in Bowral, while Jervis-Read nominated the Company Director’s Course, a residential program run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Tyndall will also sponsor the 2008 AIST Educational Scholarships.