ART appoints Martin Parkinson and Helen Rowell to Board

Media release - 21 March 2024

Two exceptional leaders are joining the board of Australian Retirement Trust (ART), bolstering the fund’s governance and succession planning.

Dr Martin Parkinson AC will join ART as an Independent Director, he is currently the Chancellor of Macquarie University, and has previously served as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Secretary to the Australian Treasury and inaugural Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, and on the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Helen Rowell will also join ART as an Independent Director, bringing more than 20 years of experience at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, including 10 years as an executive Board member and Deputy Chair for the regulator, across both superannuation and insurance.

ART Chair, Andrew Fraser, said the appointments represent the changing needs of the fund as it helps more members than ever, retire well with confidence.

“The appointments of Helen and Martin are outstanding additions to the ART board, and further strengthen our expertise in a wide-range of areas, including climate risk management, cyber security, insurance and governance,” Mr Fraser said.

“Our fund is growing every day, now looking after more than $280 billion worth of retirement savings for our members. Helen and Martin bring exceptional and deep national and international experience to our board, and I look forward to working with them as we steward the fund on behalf of our more than 2.3 million members.”

These Director appointments replace vacancies that arise from Georgina Williams and Michael Traill’s AM decision to not renominate and to conclude their terms as directors.

Mr Fraser thanked Mr Traill and Ms Williams for their service to ART.

“Both have been valued members of the board of ART, and prior to the merger, of Sunsuper. I want to thank them for their work, for their support as colleagues, and for their role in helping make the merger a reality,” he said.

Both new appointments will be effective early next month. In addition, Mark Burgess, appointed to the Board of ART last year has been appointed Chair of the ART Investment Committee as part of the planned changes to board composition.

Media enquiries: Joseph Ogilviers, Australian Retirement Trust, 0429 275 286.

About Australian Retirement Trust

Australian Retirement Trust is one of Australia’s largest super funds. 2.3 million Australians trust us to take care of over $280 billion of their retirement savings. We’re here to help our members retire well with confidence, focused on strong long-term investment returns, low fees and the information and access to advice our members need to manage their super and retirement.