Joanne Townsend, general manager of investments at REST Industry Super, has taken on the role of chief operating officer at the fund on a temporary basis.

She has taken over the duties of Paul Sawyer, the former chief operating officer, who has left REST to join TWU Super as chief executive.

Jamie Hwang from the REST investment team is now the acting general manager of investments for the $32 billion fund until Townsend returns to her role.

The fund has been through a number of changes in the past month, with Ken Marshman becoming the new independent chairman of REST, replacing previous REST chairman, Rohan Jeffs.

Marshman joined the REST Board as an independent director in December 2013 and is also chairman of REST’s investment committee.