New chair Tony Hyams to be instrumental in the merger process.
Superannuation industry identity Tony Hyams has been appointed the new chair of the Australian Reward Investment Alliance (ARIA).
Hyams is also chair of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees (MSB) and is a director of the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust and chair of its investment committee. He was formerly head of Credit Suisse in Australia and is now a senior advisor to the group.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner said his senior corporate experience and knowledge of Australian government superannuation equips him with the necessary credentials for the role.
The appointment follows the Rudd government's announcement in October 2008 that the boards of ARIA, MSB and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme would merge to form a single trustee board.
"As chairperson of both ARIA and the MSB board, Hyams will lead the transition team and be instrumental in preparing for the merger of the two boards. It is the government's intention that Hyams be appointed the inaugural chairperson of the new trustee board," Tanner said.
Hyam's appointment follows the expiration of Susan Doyle's term in 2009.
ARIA is the trustee of Australia's main civilian superannuation schemes and has 480,000 members and $16 billion in funds under management.
