Brighter Super selects Chair-elect amid mass board turnover

The Board of Brighter Super has thrown its support behind current Deputy Chair, Ron Dewhurst, to succeed John Smith as Chair once he retires from the position on 1 December.

Smith, as Chair of the LGIASuper board since 2016, oversaw the merger between LGIASuper and Energy Super to form Brighter Super in 2021, as well as the fund’s acquisition of Suncorp Super in 2022.

Commenting on his time as Chair, Smith welcomed the future of the fund under Dewhurst’s leadership.

“It has been an honour to serve Brighter Super members over the past 12 years,” he said.

“We have brought together three funds under one brand, maintained high standards of service, and delivered consistently strong investment performance.

“The fund is in excellent shape, with a committed Board, a capable Executive team, and a clear strategy for the years ahead. The future bodes well for our members.”

Dewhurst first joined the Brighter Super Board in 2018 before being appointed Deputy Chair in July this year, with a wealth of senior experience under his belt in Australian and overseas board roles. He also previously held the role of Head of Americas at JP Morgan Investment Management.

“It is a privilege to be entrusted with this role, and I am honoured by the Board’s confidence in my leadership capabilities,” Dewhurst said.

“John Smith has been an outstanding Chair – steering Brighter Super through transformative mergers, delivering strong returns, and ensuring members remain at the heart of every decision.

“I look forward to building on his legacy and working with the Board and Executive to further strengthen our position for members’ long-term benefit.”

The Board’s Chair changeover comes as three other directors were appointed just this year, with Corinne Butler joining on 8 July, Rebecca Girard on 1 April and Cameron O’Neil on 4 March.

Butler joins as an Employer Representative Director from Energy Queensland Limited, while Girard joins as a Member Representative Director nominated by The Services Union.

“John’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Brighter Super into the strong, member-focused fund it is today,” Brighter Super CEO, Kate Farrar, said.

“We look forward to working with Ron as Chair-elect and to the valuable contributions of Rebecca, Corinne, and Cameron as we continue to deliver for our members.”