Australian Retirement Trust has appointed several prominent Australian leaders to its Board of Directors and Investment Committee.
The three new appointments bring vast experience from leadership positions in global financial services, investments and governance roles.
The new appointments are:
- Mark Burgess – Mr Burgess will join ART as a Director of the ART Board and a Member of the Investment Committee in mid-2023. He is currently a board member and Investment Committee Chair of HESTA and will join ART after his term concludes at HESTA. Mr Burgess is a former Managing Director of the Future Fund. He has held roles as both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for major investors and financial institutions internationally and in Australia.
- Linda Apelt – Ms Apelt joins as a Director of the ART Board. Ms Apelt is formerly the Agent-General for Queensland in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Queensland in Europe and Sub-Sahara Africa. Ms Apelt is currently the Chair of Opera Queensland and a Member of the Griffith University Council. She previously served as a Director on the QSuper Board of Trustees from 2001–2005 and as Director-General of the Departments of Housing and Community Services.
- Guy Debelle – Dr Debelle joins as external Adviser to the ART Investment Committee. Dr Debelle worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia for 25 years, including as Deputy Governor for 6 years. He also recently held a role as Chief Financial Officer and he is a director at global green energy company Fortescue Future Industries. Dr Debelle previously chaired the climate change working group of the Australian Council of Financial Regulators.
Commenting on the appointments, ART Chair Andrew Fraser said: “All three of our new appointees are exceptional leaders in their own right and we’re proud to have them join Australian Retirement Trust.
“As we seek to invest more than $240 billion on behalf of 2.2 million members who trust us with their retirement savings, these new appointments bring a wealth of experience in investment markets, and in critical areas of focus and opportunity.
“The collective national and international experience and insight of our new appointees will benefit the fund as we seek returns in Australia and abroad.
“We look forward to the contribution of these high-calibre leaders in helping Australian Retirement Trust deliver on our vision to be Australia's most chosen and trusted retirement partner.”
The Director appointments replace vacancies that arose on the Board in late 2022.
Ms Apelt’s appointment was effective from 27 January 2023 and Dr Debelle’s from 25 February 2023. Mr Burgess will join the Board in mid-2023.