Industry superannuation fund First Super has appointed Bill Watson as its new chief executive.
Mr Watson's appointment followed a comprehensive selection process and he will take over from outgoing chief executive Graeme Russell on April 22, the fund said.
"As someone who took part in the selection process, I can say there was a very strong field of candidates to choose from and we're very confident that we've made a very good choice with Bill Watson," First Super co-chair Michael O'Connor told InvestorDaily.
"We think he has a very good range of experience both inside and outside of superannuation and a background we think is suited to make a good contribution to lead our fund in the future, particularly the kind of skill set that is required for a smaller fund," he said.
"CEO is a very key position when you don't have a large amount of staff," he added.
Mr Watson was previously principal at global consulting firm Evans and Peck and also has experience working at a senior level for a number of other specialist consultancy firms.
He has also worked with Statement Financial Management Services in South Australia and has experience managing large public transport insertions, including TransAdelaide and Sydney Ferries.
Mr O'Connor said there were no major changes planned for the fund and that First Super's immediate focus would be to continue the work it has been doing for the past five years under Mr Russell's leadership.
"The investment committee of our fund and our board are always been continually looking at and watching what is happening around the world and nationally to ensure that we have an investment strategy that is tailored for the circumstances," Mr O'Connor said.
First Super services the timber, furniture, joinery and pulp and paper industries and has approximately 72,000 members.
