AIST hires an advocacy head for the first time
Alisa Goodwin is AIST's first advocacy head. Photo: AIST
The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees has joined the move to advocacy in the investment space, announcing the appointment of Ailsa Goodwin as its first head of advocacy.
Ms Goodwin’s role is to advocate for the awareness of the value of not-for-profit superannuation funds in delivering better outcomes to investors, the organisation said.
“The appointment reflects AIST’s strategic plan to promote greater awareness to all stakeholders – including consumers – of the difference between profit-to-member funds and those super funds run by bank and insurance companies that are structured to return a portion of profits to shareholders,” said AIST CEO Eva Scheerlinck.
The appointment “recognises the regulatory landscape for super funds is getting increasingly complex and challenging to implement. This reflects a worldwide trend – post GFC – to protect consumers with a heightened regulatory focus on transparency, disclosure and culture across all financial services organisation,” AIST said in a statement.
Ms Goodwin has more than a decade of experience working in financial services, including various senior management roles at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
During this time, she led teams responsible for the Future of Financial Advice reforms, Stronger Super reforms and reviews of the regulatory settings for life insurance within and outside superannuation.
Ms Scheerlinck said Ms Goodwin’s deep understanding of the policy and regulations impacting on the superannuation landscape would add to the already significant pool of talent across AIST’s policy, research and communications team.
“Ailsa’s appointment as head of advocacy will expand AIST’s role in helping shape retirement outcomes and ensuring that consumer interests are always front and centre of any legislative change or new policy outcome,” Ms Scheerlinck said.
“Her skills and experience will be critical in these times of intense focus on regulation and governance which includes the greater emphasis on transparency and disclosure across the financial services sector.”
Before joining ASIC, Ms Goodwin worked as an adviser to the customer-owned banking sector and the NSW Law Reform Commission, and as a solicitor at a national law firm in Sydney and Melbourne. She has also worked at Industry Super Australia as senior manager, regulatory policy, and consulted to a range of other organisations within the profit-to-member super sector.
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