Trish Donohue is set to depart Cbus Super, after 17 years leading the investment team at the construction industry super fund.
Cbus announced on Tuesday August 22, 2017 that Donohue, its group executive investment services and solutions, will be departing the fund at the end of 2017 to explore further career opportunities.
Donohue joined the fund in January 2000 as the founding member of its investment team, and has been a Cbus executive since 2004.
In 2011, she spearheaded a major review of the fund’s investment operations and strategy that led to the board approving a proposal to bring Kristian Fok, the fund’s long-time asset consultant from Frontier Advisors, in-house to share the chief investment officer role.
Fok’s previous job title was executive manager investment strategy, although this was quietly updated to chief investment officer about three months ago.
Cbus chief executive David Atkin paid tribute to Donohue for her significant and formative influence at the $40 billion industry fund.
“In Trish’s 17-plus years of service she has been responsible for extraordinary fund growth and returns, has built a committed and high-performing investment team and played a key role in developing the fund’s vision and ambitious growth strategy,” Atkin said. “Her commitment and vision have had a very significant and positive impact on both Cbus and the retirement outcomes enjoyed by our members.”
The statement from Cbus said Atkin and Fok will lead a review of the structure of the investment team over the coming months.
Donohue said she felt “privileged to have been part of Cbus’ amazing journey” over the past 17 plus years and proud of what her team has built for the fund’s members.
“I have every confidence that Cbus is well positioned to continue to be a strong performing fund of the future,” she said.
Donohue has made no announcements about her future plans, but told Investment Magazine she intends to take some time to explore opportunities, and will consider both executive and non-executive roles.
“I am remaining at Cbus until the end of the year, and there is plenty of time to explore my future opportunities,” she said. “However, I don’t think I’ll be far from the industry I know and care about.”
Donohue, along with Fok, was a joint winner of the prestigious chief investment officer of the year trophy at this year’s Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards.
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