UniSuper chair to depart

Ian Martin will step down as chair of the $108 billion superannuation fund at the end of the year, succeeded by Mark Amour.

Martin has served as chair for five years overseeing UniSuper's growth from $60 billion and guiding the fund through a raft of regulatory and legislative changes.

Previously, he was chief executive of BT Financial Group and global head of investment management for Bankers Trust, chair of Argot investments and vice chair of Asia Pacific for Berkshire Capital.

Martin was also the inaugural chair of what is now the Australian Financial Services Council and a panel member of the Superannuation System Review, known as the Cooper Review.

He is currently chair of QIC.

UniSuper chief executive Peter Chun said Martin had been a source of steady wisdom, experience and perspective in his role as chair.

"On behalf of all UniSuper members, and our executive leadership team, I would like to thank Ian and wish him all the very best for the future," he said.

"Incoming chair Mark Armour has a wealth of knowledge, experience and the passion for members' outcomes that is a hallmark of UniSuper. I look forward to working with him in this new role."

In announcing his retirement, Martin described his involvement with UniSuper as a pleasure.

"I leave my role feeling optimistic for the future of the fund, knowing UniSuper is widely acclaimed as one of Australia's leading superannuation funds, and with exceptional staff unrelentingly focussed on our members' best interests," he added.

Armour, a current independent non-executive director on UniSuper's board, is a former chief executive of Invesco Australia and funds management at AXA Australia.

He is also currently chair of the fund's investment committee.

"UniSuper is one of Australia's leading super funds. It will certainly be an honour to work with my experienced colleagues on the board and our talented executive leadership team to guide this exceptional fund as chair," he said,

"Ian has provided strong strategic direction for the fund for almost a decade. I thank Ian for his dedication to UniSuper and our members."