The annual award recognises a fund executive who has made an outstanding contribution to their fund and the broader superannuation industry – with nominees judged on a number of areas including digital innovation, corporate strategy and industry leadership.

We found out what drives Chris’ passion for working in the super industry and what’s in store for the future of TelstraSuper.

How did you end up working in super?

I started out by completing an economics degree, I then decided to do a law degree. While completing the law degree I got my first “proper job” at MLC working in the legal department. They took me on under the provision that I would be a specialist in superannuation and work in defined benefit administration to see how it’s done for at least six months. I accepted, figuring that I would eventually transfer to their Legal department. 

From then onwards I had a range of roles in financial services, but never seemed to escape super! As a lawyer I enjoy the technical aspect of superannuation – it satisfies that element of wanting to get into technical detail. I’m also driven by the social aspect of super and the fact it has a genuinely meaningful purpose. I’ve dabbled in designing and managing non-super investment products, but always come back to the long-term nature of super and the difference it can make for people.

My father retired with no superannuation savings at all and that made me even more determined to help others save for and enjoy a well-deserved retirement. 

What makes TelstraSuper unique?

We have a tenacious member focus that can’t be shifted. As a leading profit-to-members fund, the members are central to every decision we make. 

This strategy has been extremely successful, with TelstraSuper maintaining the top 10 year Platinum performance rating from independent rating agency SuperRatings for the fifteenth consecutive year, demonstrating the strong value and high level of services we continue to provide for TelstraSuper members. ^

Our profit-to-members model combined with our substantial scale makes it possible to deliver the quality of service members’ need, whilst improving our fund for the future.

Your work in the broader super industry has been recognised as part of your recent award, why is it important?

When you have a universal system like super you have a responsibility to ensure it works for everyone – not just a select few. I enjoy being involved in policy discussions and looking for ways to improve the system. I do some of this in my role on the Board of the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA).

In particular, I have an interest in insurance within super. When a member (or beneficiary) is making an insurance claim they are particularly vulnerable, so it’s important to protect them as best as possible by making sure policies and procedures are fair, reasonable and easy to understand. I am privileged to chair our weekly Claims Assessment Committee at which insurance benefits are approved for many of our members who are going through hardship; that’s where you really see the benefits of what we do.  

What’s in store for the future of TelstraSuper?

We’ll continue to find ways to innovate and add value for TelstraSuper members. This includes continuing our digital transformation to keep up with the rapid change in the financial services sector and rapidly evolving member expectations.  We’re using digital techniques to provide a better member experience, including providing members with content that’s more relevant to them.

There’s also ongoing discussion about further changes to the super system, with a number of proposed changes currently before Parliament. We’ll be watching carefully to ensure that any reform is made with members’ best interests at heart.