Some members are excited for retirement, while others approach it with a “real sense of shame and fear”. Funds are going to have to figure out how to cater to both groups or risk failing them all.
If there’s one lesson for investors from the past five years, it’s that chopping and changing their strategy – even in the face of massive market turmoil – doesn’t always pay.
Chant West Awards to recognise excellence in super
The fifth annual Chant West Awards presentation will be held on May 24 at a black-tie event at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom. The Awards night has been sold out every year so far, and the same is expected this year. Tickets will go on sale from today (February 6).
The analysis that goes into selecting the finalists, together with the commentary provided by Chant West’s principals on the night, are always eagerly anticipated. They provide a unique insight into what the best funds are doing in areas such as investment, member services, insurance and administration. As such, they provide a valuable guide and set the benchmarks to which other funds aspire.
The Awards evening always attracts a Who’s Who of the industry. Last year’s event was MCd by the now-retired chief executive of ASFA, Pauline Vamos. Kelly O’Dwyer, the Assistant Treasurer, announced the Super Fund of the Year, UniSuper, while the winner of Pension Fund of the Year was Colonial First Choice.
All the key industry associations are represented, along with the senior management of the major super funds and their service providers. This year, interestingly, several associations have new chief executives: Martin Fahy at ASFA, John Maroney at the SMSF Association, who replaces the founder Andrea Slattery in May (see separate report) and a to-be-announced new leader at AIST, following the retirement of Tom Garcia last year.
Warren Chant, Chant West principal and co-founder, says: “This year’s Awards are being held against a backdrop of volatile markets, geopolitical shifts and yet another round of changes to the super and pension rules. These all generate uncertainty that threatens to undermine confidence in the system.
“Our view is that Australian funds have done very well in adapting to the changing times. As a group, they continue to do what they set out to do, and that’s an important message for them to get across to their members. To a certain extent, the Awards evening is a celebration of that success, as well as an opportunity to recognise individual excellence.”
Information and registration : www.chantwestawards.com.au
Note: Investor Strategy News is the official media partner for the Chant West Awards.
