CFS strengthens investment team
Colonial First State has appointed John Iles and Al Clark as head of cash management and derivatives, and head of investments, respectively.
Zenith appoints CEO steps aside
Zenith Investment Partners chief executive David Wright will step down from his role at the end of year and transition to the role of investment director.
ASIC announces several leadership changes
ASIC has made several executive appointments to its leadership team across markets supervision and small business enforcement.
Roadblocks remain for funds to meet growing retirement expectations
Developing a scalable mechanism through which super funds can direct members to suitable retirement solutions — while being cognisant of the personal financial advice laws — has become one of the nation’s most pressing policy challenges. But after years of slow progress, the 2023 Retirement Conference discussed some promising solutions.
ASX200 net zero commitments are growing (but not all pledges are equal)
Time is running out to keep warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, so it’s pleasing to see progress by listed Australian companies on net zero pledges and climate-related disclosures. But there are still big gaps on transparency and comparability.
Beware political interference in portfolios: Mercer
Rich Nuzum, the global chief investment strategist at Mercer, says superannuation funds must resist pressure from government to bankroll national and social infrastructure. While some community projects such as social housing can stack up on pure investment grounds, investment teams and boards need to safeguard themselves against political risks.
ASIC loses appeal in CBA MySuper sales dispute
Almost a year after the previous case was dismissed, the Federal Court has once again found in favour of CBA and CFS over alleged breaches of conflicted remuneration laws relating to distribution of MySuper product Essential Super.
ART aims to double sustainable investments team
Industry super fund Australian Retirement Trust is aiming to double the size of its sustainable investments team, with eight new roles planned.
Former ASFA head picks up MD role at Accenture
Former Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia CEO Martin Fahy has joined technology and consultancy group Accenture as managing director for strategy and consulting.
GBST targets super funds with digital financial advice deal
GBST’s acquisition of Advice Intelligence will help leverage the digital advice provider’s services to the institutional market amid growing expectations that super funds provide more advice.
The climate disclosure rules keeping asset owners up at night
Institutional investors have broadly welcomed the advent of a mandatory climate disclosure regime, but the reality is they face a slew of new and complex governance, risk management, planning and testing requirements. It is little wonder HESTA CEO Debby Blakey has called the net-zero push the “biggest transition any of us will be involved in”.
TelstraSuper revamps MySuper lifecycle
TelstraSuper will raise the ages for member exposure to growth assets for its MySuper lifecycle products.
