Despite being a growing reservoir of funds under management, this critically important pool of capital is confronting mounting problems collating and disseminating key data in a timely manner.
The ratings house is pinning its growth strategy on a revamped methodology that increases the emphasis on governance to 25 per cent – a timely move considering APRA’s proposed reforms.
Geoff Peck looks back over 35 years in super
After 35 years in the super industry and having recently turned 60, Geoff Peck is to retire in December from Chant West, where he is head of client services. He is proud of the industry in which he spent his career.
While most of his career – apart from the early years and the last four-and-half at Chant West – focused on the wholesale and retail superannuation sectors, Peck says: “Over the years I grew to understand how valuable the big funds are to Australia, as a system to support people to move into retirement with dignity. To a large degree they have served their purpose very well. The system has delivered.”
He says: “We spend a lot of time bagging out super, in the media too. And some criticism may be warranted, but I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done, that I’ve been involved in. I got so many good experiences out of the industry.”
Ian Fryer, general manager of Chant West said last week (October 23): “Geoff has worked in many different organisations over the years and we were thrilled when he joined Chant West in 2016. He has played an important role in evolving our services to clients, across both super and advice clients.
“Notable milestones include expanding the adoption of our market-leading super switching tool for advisers, his involvement in the super fund awards program and the rollout of our innovative ‘Member Outcomes Dashboards’. In addition to sales, Geoff has made significant contributions to both our business and clients through his industry insights, substantial relationship base and overriding passion for the critical role of super for all Australians.”
After two years as an actuarial assistant with the Westpac staff super fund from 1985, courtesy of a degree in applied mathematics from the University of NSW, he moved to the Aon administration and actuarial firm before joining BT Financial Group in 1993 where he spent 12 years and became head of superannuation solutions. He then spent four years at AIA Australia, which proved to be an eventful period after the collapse of the US parent and subsequent resurrection in the region through a Hong Kong listing. Then followed a time at Russell investments, as managing dirctor, individual customers, followed by three years as general manager, marketing, at Colonial First State. He spent five years running his own consulting business, with the likes of Westpac, administrator DXC Technology – a disrupter in super – and AustralianSuper as clients before Chant West.
Peck remains the non-executive chair of Aracon Superannuation, a super fund launched in 2009 and ultimately owned by the listed managed accounts specialist Xplore Wealth. The fund serves a range of advised clients and has a focus on technological innovation. “We need to find ways to enable more innovative companies to enter the super industry,” he says.
Fryer said plans were underway to replace Peck “and to continue the momentum that he has helped us to develop in best serving our clients”.
– G.B.
