New hand on $70b super fund tiller

• Published date: 28 March 2024
• Publication title: Daily Post, The (Rotorua, New Zealand)

The Crown entity manages the $70 billion NZ Super Fund

Townsend was previously the chief executive of Funds SA for eight years, overseeing significant growth in the organisation’s capabilities which manages A$40b of public sector funds.

Guardians chairman John Williamson said: “We are excited to have Jo join the Guardians’ team.

“She is a highly experienced CEO with a 30-year career in the Australian investment sector.

“Jo is a proven people leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams, attracting talent and building strong stakeholder relationships.”

Townsend will take over from acting CEO Paula Steed in April.

Former chief executive Matt Whineray stepped down in December having resigned following 15 years of service with the organisation.

Townsend is the first externally-appointed CEO since Adrian Orr, current Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor, in 2007.

“The NZ Super Fund is known and respected globally as a high-performing institutional investor. The Guardians’ purpose — sustainable investment...