UniSuper has won Fund of the Year at the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards 2017 – the second year in a row it has taken home the prestigious award.
In a video presentation announcing the winner, the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, praised the $57.5 billion super fund for higher education workers for its leadership in member services, good fund governance, design and performance. He added there were many outstanding super funds in the running for the title.
“Congratulations UniSuper, and congratulations to all the winners and all the finalists,” Turnbull said.
In his address to the gathered superannuation industry figures and dignitaries, the prime minister encouraged attendees to support the Wayside Chapel, a charity Conexus Financial backs.
To donate to Wayside click here.
By the end of the night, UniSuper had won in four of the 12 award categories, also taking home Best Insurance Offering, Best Advice Offering and Default Fund of the Year.
The coveted Chief Investment Officer of the Year Award went to Cbus Super executive manager, investment management, Trish Donohue and executive manager, investment strategy, Kristian Fok. The traditional role of chief investment officer at the fund is spilt between the two.
Conexus Financial chief executive Colin Tate challenged the assembled stakeholders in the $2.1 trillion sector that they should never lose sight of the fact that the industry exists to serve the interests of fund members, and to ensure that as many Australians as possible are able to enjoy a dignified and financially secure retirement.
“Tonight, the industry receives the accolades; the awards are designed to recognise those funds that have served their members best,” Tate said.
And the winners are…
Best Insurance Offering
Finalists: Christian Super, EISS Super, MLC MasterKey Business Super
Winner: UniSuper
Default Fund of the Year
Finalists: Cbus Super, MTAA Super, QSuper
Winner: UniSuper
Pension Fund of the Year
Finalists: Cbus Super, UniSuper and Sunsuper
Winner: QSuper
Member Services Fund of the Year
Finalists: MTAA Super, Plum Super, UniSuper
Winner: VicSuper
Best Advice Offering
Finalists: Energy Super, QSuper, Sunsuper
Winner: UniSuper
Best Technology Offering
Finalists: HESTA, Kinetic Super, Plum Super
Winner: BT Panorama
Innovation and Transformation Award
Finalists: HESTA, QSuper, Sunsuper
Winner: Australian Catholic Superannuation
Small Fund of the Year
Finalists: EISS Super, Intrust Super, Kinetic Super
Winner: AustSafe Super
Medium Fund of the Year
Finalists: Energy Super, LGIAsuper, NGS Super
Winner: MTAA Super
Large Fund of the Year
Finalists: Cbus Super, Sunsuper, UniSuper
Winner: QSuper
Fund of the Year
Finalists: Cbus Super, MTAA Super, QSuper
Winner: UniSuper
Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Finalists: Australian Ethical Investment CIO David Macri, MLC Super Fund CIO Jonathan Armitage and Statewide Super CIO Con Michalakis
Winner: Cbus Super executive manager, investment management, Trish Donohue, and executive manager, investment strategy, Kristian Fok
Interviews with the winners will appear in a special newsletter.
The Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards 2017 took place on March 9 at the Ivy, Sydney. It was produced by Conexus Financial, the publisher of Investment Magazine and Professional Planner, supported by the Funds Executive Association Limited, and sponsored by Vanguard and AIA Australia.
