ASFA appoints new policy & advocacy head

Peak super body The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has announced the creation of a new head of policy and advocacy function, with public policy specialist James Koval taking on the new senior role.

Koval, in his new role, will oversee ASFA’s policy, research and advocacy program.

ASFA chief executive Mary Delahunty said she was delighted to welcome Koval to its team, whom she said would “strengthen ASFA’s deep public policy expertise and further amplify the voices of our member organisations… and the 18 million Australians who rely on our members.”

Koval joins from the University of Sydney, where he served as government relations manager. During his two years with USyd, Koval was tasked with providing strategic and policy advice to the University’s executive related to its engagement with government.

ASFA recognised Koval’s decade of public policy experience and advisory responsibilities, including “leading roles in the legislative agenda of federal and territory governments”. Notably, in three of his five years with the ACT Government, he served as strategic adviser to the Territory’s chief minister and treasurer.

Commenting on his new role, Koval said he “[welcomed] the opportunity to lead ASFA’s extensive policy and research program which continues to be collaborative in its development, expert in its recommendations and impactful in its implementation.

“Our members in the superannuation sector are currently managing a range of regulatory reform conversations, I have seen how strong collaborative industry associations can deliver value by amplifying common views and committing to the deep work involved in implementation.”