NGS Super expands chief advice role

NGS Super's top advice executive will take on a bigger role as the superannuation fund sharpens its focus on member education.

The superannuation fund has amalgamated its advice and education functions into a single team led by Darryn Studdert in the expanded role of chief advice and education officer.

It will also appoint a dedicated education manager, likely an internal appointment.

NGS Super chief executive Natalie Previtera said currently, education is partially housed within the growth team (which contains superannuation specialists and customer relationship managers) and partly with the advice team.

"Darryn's team is already running one stream of educational content, so this latest move brings both strands together to ensure a sharper focus," she said.

"While we draw expertise from different teams, we want to centralise a function that will design the education strategy and the program and constantly update and monitor it.

"As NGS is a smaller fund we've got a really good handle on our members and what they need. That's not to say, there aren't things we can refine as we go along."

The chief executive said centralising the advice and education functions will strengthen the personalised services offered by the fund and its ability to deliver relevant and timely information and education.

"As a fund, we're passionate about helping our members improve their financial knowledge so they're confident in their financial decisions. Advice and education both have a role to play in this."

Previtera added that elevating the role of education by giving it a stronger focus and dedicated resources will help deliver support in a most meaningful way to members and employers.

Suddert will work with the education manager to set the strategy and focus for NGS Super's education offering.

The advice chief has almost two decades of experience in financial planning.

Before his eight years with the super fund, he spent five years at Mercer as a senior financial advisor and three years at the ANZ in a similar role.

He has been chief advice officer at NGS Super since 2016.

"Darryn brings the perfect mix of financial planning expertise, understanding of our members and leadership skills to the role," Previtera added

Commenting on the expanded role, Studdert said he was excited to be taking on the expanded role and drawing on his deep expertise and understanding of its members to build out NGS Super's education programs.

"It is a great opportunity for the fund to make a difference in our members' financial future and their plans for tomorrow."