Townsend joins FEAL board

Funds SA chief executive Jo Townsend has joined the board of directors of the Fund Executives Association (FEAL). Townsend has been a member of the FEAL finance committee since 2013 and will become its chair.

Townsend is joined on the board by Damian Wills.

"Jo and Damian were approached to join the Board on the basis of their extensive experience and track record in the super and investment space," said FEAL chair Jane Perry. "This depth of experience will see them make a valuable contribution to FEAL and to our professional development and education initiatives.

"Through the COVID-19 pandemic, superannuation has remained central to the financial resilience of many Australians, and an important part of the national agenda. Similarly, in this period of unprecedented change, FEAL has remained important to the executives who serve superannuation fund members. The new directors join us to continue to provide professional development and ongoing education that is high quality and easy to access, wherever and however our members may be working," said Perry.

Robyn Petrou and Debby Blakey have stepped down from the board.

Townsend has been chief executive for Funds SA for more than six years. She previously was the acting COO and GM of investments with Rest and held various roles with NGS Super and Retirement Benefits Fund. She started in financial services in admin roles with Rothschild Australia Asset Management and became a portfolio manager of fixed interest portfolios in the mid-1990s.