AustralianSuper names new director

Australia's largest superannuation fund has appointed Philippa Kelly as an independent director and chair of the investment committee.

Kelly succeeds Jim Craig, who joined the AustralianSuper Board in 2017.

She spent nearly ten years as the chief operating officer at the Juilliard Group and as head of institutional funds management at Vicinity Centres.

Vicinity Centres was formerly known as the Centro Properties Group.

Kelly also chairs LifeStyle Communities and is a director of oOh!media, and deputy chancellor of Deakin University.

Don Russell, the chair of the $233 billion super fund, said Kelly would bolster the board's existing deep investment experience and skills.

"Ms Kelly is a very highly skilled investment professional who brings a wide range of experience to AustralianSuper,"  Russell said.

'As the Fund continues to grow, Ms Kelly is ideally placed to help further build our global investment portfolio to help members achieve their best financial position in retirement.

"Her rich history in investment markets will make Ms Kelly an integral part of the decision-making team."

Kelly noted that it was an exciting time join a growing fund that has such a strong commitment to members' best financial interest.

Russell acknowledged the crucial role that Craig had played as a director chair of the $233 billion super fund

"Mr Craig has overseen an extraordinary period of growth and acquisition during his time as a director and chair of the investment committee," he said.

The AustralianSuper chair pointed out that the outgoing director's deep understanding of global and unlisted markets has been integral in assisting the fund as it moves towards being a $500 billion fund with indirect and direct ownership in investments across the world.