Super funds first in line for UK infrastructure

Superannuation funds with experience and skills in managing real assets stand a good chance of winning bids for UK infrastructure over investors with higher bids, a British trade envoy has said on a visit to Australia and New Zealand. Justine Allan, head of institutional investor relations at UK Trade and Investment, who recently met with … Read more

100% ESG

The recently launched Good Super is dedicated to pursuing investments that overcome the “grand challenges” in Australian society, writes RACHEL ALEMBAKIS. Aron Ping D’Souza, executive chairman of Good Super, believes superannuation provides the combination of time, money, and intent needed to answer “grand challenges” facing Australian society. If it invests wisely he believes it can … Read more

Infrastructure assets: not a silver bullet for inflation

It is commonly stated that infrastructure helps protect portfolios from inflation, but Justin Webb, associate director of Access Capital and member of the Investment Management Consultants Association & Mike Wright senior associate at Access Capital Partners believe this claim does not always stand up to close scrutiny. It is often claimed that infrastructure investments provide … Read more

Insurance “pain” invites new approach

Rising insurance claims have seen a number of superannuation funds recently renegotiate premiums, with some pundits predicting it’s the start of broad sweeping changes for large funds. In the last week both Cbus Super and Equip announced changes to their insurance cover, as both funds renegotiated terms with their insurer, Hannover Life Re of Australasia. … Read more

AustralianSuper rejigs decision making

AustralianSuper has ramped up the day-to-day responsibilities of its asset class heads and investment committee, as its board switches its focus to strategy decisions. Chief investment officer Mark Delaney said it’s a move that is already paying off after he collected AustalianSuper’s award for Best Fund, Investments at the Chant West and Conexus Financial Super … Read more

Debate: Favouring IP over TPD

The following people met recently to discuss the sustainability of insurance. Jeff Humphreys, principal, CHR Consulting; Linda Winterbottom, senior rehabilitation specialist, CommInsure; Bernard O’Connor, company secretary, NGS; Helen Hewett, executive officer, Industry Funds Forum; Colin Cassidy national insurance manager, HOSTPLUS; Frank Crapis, head of industry funds, Comminsure; Margo Lydon, chief executive, SuperFriend and Russell Mason, … Read more

Opinion: The case for younger trustees

There are advocates for more independent trustees, for more women on boards, more ethnic representation and those who generally talk up the virtues of diversity, but where are the advocates for 20-30 something trustees? We are all on a path from youth to older age and so perhaps it is not generally seen as a … Read more

REST credits insurance rethink as they scoop top fund award

REST Super scooped Super Fund of the Year, in large part due to pioneering a new insurance offering for members said Damian Hill. The chief executive of REST Super said the fund had put a greater focus on members’ future income cover rather than Total Permanent Disablement (TPD), at the ceremony last night. “We had … Read more

QSuper wins pension fund of the year

QSuper has been chosen as Pension Fund of the Year for the second year running at the Chant West | Conexus Finanical Super Fund of the Year awards. QSuper was shortlisted alongside Asgard’s Infinity eWRAP Pension and Colonial First State’s FirstChoice product. After accepting the award Rosemary Vilgan, chief executive of QSuper spoke about her … Read more