Ms Edwards has been a director on the board of Spirit Super for almost 12 years and is to be replaced by Maria Wilton, a global investment manager with experience in the superannuation sector.
“From $1.5 billion when I joined to now $25 billion in funds under management, the largest fund covering Tasmanians, I reflect on the families across Australia who are enjoying, or will enjoy, a more decent and comfortable retirement thanks to the investments they have accumulated through their superannuation,” Ms Edwards said.
“I’d like to thank the Spirit Super members, staff, sponsoring organisations, my fellow and previous board members and the CEOs I have worked with for their support, encouragement and advice,” she added.
Spirit Super CEO, Jason Murray, said Ms Edwards would leave an impressive legacy at the fund.
“No CEO could ask for a wiser or kinder chair. Naomi is a deeply compassionate and values-based leader with great knowledge and expertise she generously shares. I know I’m not the only person at Spirit who will miss her counsel and the care in which she engages with everyone she meets,” Mr Murray said.
“That she leaves us in a strong position and with a potential merger partner in Care Super is a testament to her forward-thinking and strategic planning,”
Mr Murray also announced that Ms Wilton would join the board as chair effective 1 December 2022.
“After a thorough search, we are very pleased to welcome Maria Wilton into the Spirit Super team,” he said.
“Maria is well known to those in our sector as a strong advocate for the industry super fund sector and achieved great growth during her tenure as chair and country head of Franklin Templeton — a global, listed investment manager. She is an ESG leader, and this aligns strongly with Spirit’s focus on carbon reduction, impact investing, and supporting regional business.”
Ms Wilton currently serves on a number of company boards, including as board governor of the CFA Institute and deputy chair of Infrastructure Victoria.
