Aware Super’s Damien Webb, who spearheaded the fund’s expansion into the UK, has taken up the CIO role at Brighter Super as he returns to Australia.
Webb led Aware Super’s UK expansion, opening its London office in 2023, establishing its business management, governance and investment function.
With a career spanning three decades with ING Investment Management, Perpetual Investments and most recently Aware Super, Webb has extensive experience in setting and executing investment strategies across all asset classes and within multi-asset class portfolios.
He was a member of the management investment committee and established direct investment capabilities and strategy across infrastructure, property and credit income.
Webb will return from the UK to take up his position with Brighter Super as CIO, based in Sydney.
The fund has been seeking a replacement CIO since the exit of Mark Rider at the end of 2025 with David O’Donnell looking after the role in an interim capacity. Upon Webb’s appointment, O’Donnell will become deputy CIO.
Brighter Super chief executive officer Kate Farrar welcomed Webb’s appointment.
“As Brighter Super continues to grow in scale and sophistication, Damien’s experience in building multi-asset class portfolios and global direct investment platforms will be invaluable.
“I am certain he will continue our strong investment performance and help the fund reach the next stage of our growth and maturity,’’ Farrar said.
“Damien’s expertise will augment our existing exceptional investment team and governance framework with even more investment strategy and experience and continue to support our investment into Queensland through our Queensland Asset Strategy.’’
Brighter Super has delivered strong investment performances since its mergers, including annual double-digit returns in eight accumulation and pension diversified options for the three years to 31 December 2025, including its MySuper default option.
Brighter Super chairman Ron Dewhurst said: “Damien brings exceptional judgement, a strong international perspective and deep investment experience at a time when global markets and geopolitics are becoming increasingly complex.”
“I am confident his leadership will strengthen Brighter Super’s ability to navigate uncertainty, manage risk and make disciplined long-term investment decisions in the best interests of members.”
Webb said he was excited to be joining Brighter Super, citing leadership experience in investments across the organisation.
“Brighter Super represents a fantastic opportunity to work with an experienced board, Kate Farrar and a highly regarded investment team with a strong track record, and to further develop a best-practice ‘total portfolio’ approach – truly managing the fund as one integrated portfolio, one team, one fund,’’ Webb added.
“I’m particularly excited about continuing to strengthen how we use data, technology and AI to support better decision-making, while staying closely aligned to members’ needs and the fund’s Queensland-focused ethos.
“The objective is to build on the existing strategy, lift performance where we can, and ensure members’ savings are managed in a way that delivers strong returns, reflects their values, and supports investment in Queensland and beyond.”
Webb said his focus over the past 12 years at Aware Super had been on delivering strong outcomes for members.
“That means investing in assets that make sense financially, but also have a positive impact in the communities where our members live and retire.”
He added that his recent experience in London would provide a global perspective at a time when markets and geopolitics were increasingly complex and interconnected.
“While Brighter Super has a strong focus on investing in Australia and Queensland, a significant portion of members’ assets are invested offshore, and experience in international markets, governance and portfolio construction is increasingly important.
“Bringing that global lens to asset allocation, risk management and opportunity selection will be critical in navigating what is clearly a challenging and fast-changing world.”
