HESTA names new Chair of Investment Committee

Former Future Fund head Mark Burgess has been appointed as the inaugural chair of HESTA's new investment committee, effective April 2017.

Prior to his time with the Future Fund, which he left in March 2014, Burgess was CEO of Treasury Group. Before that, he held roles as executive vice chair and CEO of Credit Suisse Asset Management (EMEA) in London, as well as global CIO roles for American Express Asset Management and Colonial First State. He is currently the chair of Yarra Capital Management.

Burgess is joined on HESTA's investment committee by independent advisers, Melda Donnelly and Tim Hughes, who were both previously members of HESTA's investment advisory panel.

HESTA CEO, Debby Blakey, said the establishment of the committee, which followed an announcement in January of a new five year investment strategy for the fund, "is an important step that sets up the $37 billion fund's investment processes and structures to continue to deliver sustainable, ambitious long-term returns for members."

She added: "Mark, Melda and Tim all bring outstanding investment experience and insights that give us further specialist expertise that can supplement the skills and experience we already have at Board level."

Commenting on his appointment, Burgess said: "I was drawn to HESTA for its leadership as a responsible, long-term steward of members' investments, its unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for its members and women in Australia and its history of strong investment performance and innovation."

Burgess also joins the HESTA board as an independent director.