Andrew Taylor, Special Counsel, KHQ Lawyers

Andrew is a Special Counsel in the Superannuation & Financial Service team.

Andrew’s practice is focused on financial services and products, particularly superannuation, investment platforms and managed investment schemes.  Andrew has extensive experience across the wide range of legal issues that arise in the operation and regulation of superannuation funds and other financial services businesses. For many years he worked in-house in the MLC Wealth Division of the National Australia Bank group of companies, one of Australia’s largest financial services groups.  Therefore, he has a great understanding of not only the legal issues but also the practical realities of running a financial services business.

Andrew also has substantial experience working for ASIC in enforcement and regulatory roles, and has acted both for ASIC and for financial services licensees in relation to ASIC and APRA matters, including investigations and commercial relief applications.

Neil Cochrane, Chair, Aware Super

In a career spanning 42 years in financial services, Neil’s previous roles have included Deputy CEO and Global Head of Business Development at Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM); CEO of the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST Industry Super) and CEO of Southern Asset Management in South Africa.

In addition, Neil has held several non-executive roles within the retail banking, investment management and superannuation industries. He has previously chaired the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal Advisory Council, the Fund Executive Association Ltd (FEAL), the Commonwealth Bank Group Super and the Commonwealth Bank (UK) Staff Benefits Scheme, he was a Director of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) and has been an independent adviser to Auscoal Superannuation (now Mine Super).

Neil was appointed as the independent Chair of Aware Super Pty Ltd in 2014. He is a member of the Investment Committee and chairs the Governance and Nominations Committee.

Naomi Edwards, Trustee Director, Independent Chair, Tasplan

Naomi Edwards is a highly regarded professional director. She has chaired listed ASX companies, industry super funds, and not-for-profits. An actuary by training, with an executive background in the financial services industry, her perspective in interpreting complex financial interactions and seeing the long term implications is unique. Naomi’s financial analysis and accounting skills are complemented by a strong commercial focus. She has a background in listed M&A activity. Naomi has a first class honours degree in mathematics from the University of Canterbury and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries (London) as well as a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institutes of Actuaries.

Naomi has had significant involvement in merger activity within both the retail and the profit to member sectors, including her recent roles with Tasplan’s two completed mergers and its current merger plans.

Graeme Russell, Former Chief Executive Officer, Media Super

Graeme Russell has extensive experience in superannuation governance, management and investment.

Graeme was CEO of Media Super (2013-20) and First Super (2008-12), and previously an Independent Director of Media Super, TISS and JUST Super.

Graeme was Chief of Staff for Victoria’s Minister for Public Transport and The Arts (2007-08).

He was previously an industry and international partnerships executive at Melbourne and Monash Universities, Commercial Manager at the Trade Union Training Authority, CFO for STA Travel and CFO at a newspaper publisher.

Graeme was also a strategy consultant and Chartered Accountant in practice.

Graeme is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

His community service includes Member of the Independent Panel on Best Practice Union Governance, Trustee of the Sustainable Melbourne Fund, Foundation Chairperson of the Inner Metropolitan Regional Association of Councils and Councillor and Mayor of the City of Collingwood.