AustralianSuper fills new C-suite platforms role

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

17 December 2025

AustralianSuper has reinforced its commitment to leveraging a combined technology, digital and data strategy with the appointment of Mike Backeberg to the newly-created Chief Platforms Officer position.

Initially joining the fund as Head of Technology, Strategy and Planning in 2020 before being appointed Chief Technology Officer in 2022 and now as Acting Chief Operating Officer, Backeberg’s responsibilities cover oversight of member operations, data and technology services, as well as the fund’s “strategic technology roadmap”, risk management framework and enterprise architecture.

AustralianSuper chief executive, Paul Schroder, welcomed Backeburg to the role.

“We expect to be a trillion-dollar fund by 2035, delivering world-class investment and member services for five million Australians. Our ability to leverage cutting-edge technology is essential to helping members achieve their best financial position in retirement.

“In a world of AI and machine learning, making the very best connections between talent and tech will be a differentiator for the fund.

“Mike’s extensive industry experience, along with his deep knowledge of the fund and its technology roadmap, make him the perfect person to join the executive in this vital role.

“He has overseen all aspects of our approach to technology from strategy and risk to the development and improvement of our technology stack.”

Backeberg said he was looking forward to taking on the newly-created role and continue the fund’s technology program.

“AustralianSuper is growing and I am very excited to be appointed to a position that plays a crucial role in members’ retirement outcomes,” he said.

“Technology and security are front and centre when we focus on simplicity and delivering value for members. Better technology and the careful use of AI will help make our popular app and web portal easier to use. This will give members more control over their super and save them time.

“We spent $165 million in the last financial year to strengthen our layered security controls and expanded multi-factor authentication for account logins as part of our wider technology investment.

“We’re responding to growing cyber threats with vigilance and innovation, enhancing existing measures and embedding AI in multiple layers of our security stack.

“Looking ahead, we’ll continue to improve authentication, strengthen identity verification and invest in technologies that help us stay ahead of emerging risks.”