Peter Burgess appointed SMSF chief

Peter Burgess, the current SMSF Association deputy chief executive and director of policy and education, will head up the Association next March.

He will succeed John Maroney who has been chief executive since May 2017. The Association said Maroney has decided to step down and take some time off to explore future opportunities.

Burgess spent three years as the association's technical director before joining the SMSF administrator SuperConcepts in 2013 as general manager, of technical services and education.

He is widely recognised as an authority in SMSF technical matters and government policy design.

"I am thrilled to be offered the position of chief executive of the pre-eminent body in the SMSF sector," Burgess said.

"I am passionate about the SMSF Association, and the work we do to uphold the integrity and sustainability of the SMSF sector. But most of all, I am passionate about our members and helping them to provide the best SMSF advice they can," he said.

SMSFA chair Scott Hay-Bartlem noted Burgess' legendary knowledge of the sector and said his annual 'legs and regs' address to the National Conference was always compulsory listening.

"I am certain the members will welcome Peter's appointment as someone who is committed to the SMSF sector and understands the issues they face in running their businesses."

He also acknowledged Maroney's contribution.

"Since John's appointment in 2017, he has had the onerous responsibility of guiding the Association and its members through exciting and challenging times, particularly the dynamic regulatory environment and handling the enormous impact of the COVID pandemic," he said.

"I know I speak for the Board and all members when I say John has performed admirably in very difficult circumstances, and that the strong position we find ourselves in is in no small part due to his leadership."

Maroney said the Association has always been a driving force in building collaboration across the financial sector.

"Having weathered the COVID storm and returned to hosting large, physical events, including the National Conference in April and Technical Summit this week, 2023 is the ideal time to hand over to Peter for the next growth phase of the sector and Association."

In a LinkedIn post he said: "All good things must come to an end. It has been an absolute pleasure working for the SMSF Association as CEO for the last 5 years, weathering the storms of regulatory change and COVID-19 while making our way back to hosting large SMSF industry events.

"I am very proud of my time spent with the Association, which has been a driving force in building collaboration across the financial sector.