Our leadership team

Meet the Directors

The Equip board consists of nine directors: 3 member directors, 3 employer directors and 3 independent directors.

The board appoints one of the independent directors as Chair. The directors must be qualified to hold office in accordance with relevant legislation. The maximum tenure for a director is 12 years (four terms).

Andrew Fairley AM, LLB, FAICD

Chair

Andrew has a long and distinguished association with the Superannuation Industry in Australia. He commenced practice as a superannuation lawyer in 1980, and founded Australia’s first specialist superannuation law firm, IFS Fairley in 1993. He formed the Law Council of Australia Superannuation Committee in 1986 and remained its Chair for 10 years.

He has built a reputation as a leading practitioner in superannuation law and practice, and has been named by the Australian Financial Review as one of Australia’s best superannuation lawyers from 2013 to 2018.

He specialises as a legal advisor to trustees of both industry and corporate superannuation funds. He practices as a consultant to Hall & Wilcox lawyers in Melbourne.

He also has a passion for the Australian tourism sector and nature based tourism in particular, and served as the Deputy Chairman of Tourism Australia until June 2017.

Andrew is very involved in the philanthropic sector, and is Chair of the Sir Andrew Fairley Foundation, and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education. He is Deputy Chair of the Mornington Peninsula Foundation and the Greater Shepparton Foundation.

Appointed: January 2009
John Azaris, BEng (Elec), MBA

Employer Director

John has had an extensive career in the power industry. Most recently, he was general manager, service delivery for AusNet where he was responsible for all maintenance operations functions for AusNet’s transmission, electricity distribution and gas distribution businesses. Prior to this, and after an earlier career in various engineering, operations, maintenance and management roles, he headed up the human resources and communications function within AusNet.

Appointed: June 2007
Current term expires: March 2020
Mark Cerche, B. Juris LLB (Hons)

Employer Director

Mark has more than 35 years-experience in superannuation, estate planning and administration, elder law, funds management and corporate and securities law. He retired as a partner of Allens after 36 years and continues in practice as a sole practitioner.

Mark is Chairman of the Corporate Superannuation Association and a Member of the Law Council of Australia's Superannuation Committee. In these roles Mark has had significant contact with Treasury officials and Parliamentary Committees and Working Groups in connection with Superannuation and Financial Services Law in Australia. He holds a B. Juris LLB (Hons) from Monash, a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws with Honours.

Appointed: July 2017
Current term expires: July 2020
Michael Clinch, Grad Dip Employee and Industrial Relations, GAICD

Employer Director

Michael is a successful human resource professional who has hands on experience in developing and implementing human resource strategies. He has worked within the maritime, fire services and Victorian electricity industries, working at both strategic and operational levels. He has previous experience as a trustee director in the profit-for-member superannuation sector and oversaw the merger of the Seafarers Retirement Fund and the Stevedoring Employees Retirement Fund to form what is now Maritime Super.

Appointed: April 2016
Current term expires: March 2020
Jan Dekker, BSc, GradDip Environmental Studies, Grad Cert Applied Finance and Investment, GAICD

Member Director

Jan is an experienced director and CEO, with over 16 years of board level experience in the funds management and commercial sectors. Jan was previously an Employer Director on Equip's board from April 2016 to July 2017. He is a founder and managing director of Cleantech Ventures, where he has successfully raised and managed two venture capital funds - the Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies Fund and the Cleantech Australia Fund. Previously he was an associate director at the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority and held various executive roles with the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Jan possesses a masters degree in law (environmental) from Sydney University, a BSc and post graduate diploma of Environmental Studies (Macquarie University) as well as post graduate qualifications in financial management from FINSIA. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Appointed: July 2017
Current term expires: March 2023
Justine Hickey, BComm, FFin, GAICD

Independent Director

Justine is a professional non-executive director with over 24 years in investments, superannuation and corporate governance. She chairs the board of fund manager, DNR Capital and is a director of Hastings Management. Previously she was a director of the GPT Metro Office Fund, Australian Ethical Investment Ltd, Flagship Investments Ltd and an expert member of Sunsuper’s Investment Committee. Justine takes an active interest in the not for profit sector and is a director of RSPCA QLD and chair of YET Foundation.

She has a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of FinSIA (Financial Services Institute of Australasia) and an Associate of the CFA Institute. She is also a member of the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA).

Appointed: July 2017
Current term expires: July 2020
Penny Davy-Whyte, BA (Marketing & Communication), GAIST

Member Director

Penny Davy-Whyte joins the board with a focus on digital marketing strategy. She has previously held a number of senior management positions, including her most recent role leading the Australian Federal Government’s media communications agency. Penny brings a breadth of expertise across traditional and digital communication and a thorough understanding of evolving technologies to the Fund.

Appointed: July 2018
Current term expires: June 2021
Lisbeth Rasmussen, MSc (Development Studies), GAICD

Member Director

Lisbeth Rasmussen brings a deep and comprehensive understanding of investment strategy and risk mitigation to the Board. She has over 30 years’ experience managing superannuation member funds, has previously overseen $42 billion in assets, and has worked closely with the SAS Trustee Corporation Board, which is the board responsible for State Super.

Appointed: July 2018
Current term expires: June 2021
Wayne Walker, BSc (Hons), MBA, FIAA

Independent Director

Wayne brings a deep technical knowledge and practical experience of superannuation, based on a long and distinguished career consulting to superannuation funds. He has been a leading consultant to corporate funds in outsourcing employee superannuation trusteeship and associated investment and administration services, both in his own practice and as a Partner at Deloitte. Wayne’s advice was central to the Cooper Review, which published his insights in full within its report. He managed and led Mercer’s Australian superannuation business for over 10 years, including the establishment of the Mercer master trust.

Appointed: July 2017
Current term expires: July 2020

Executive team

This team leads the day-to-day operations of the business to ensure reliable and consistent delivery of products, services and communications to members and employers.

Nicholas Vamvakas

Chief Executive Officer - appointed July 2017

Nick is leading the Equip team through a period of significant growth, with a specific focus on ensuring that it translates into tangible benefits for members and employers. Previously, he was Equip's Chief Risk Officer, appointed May 2014, and was responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of business-wide market and operational risk management. Nick previously held various senior roles over a 21 year career with ME Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Chisholm Institute of Technology and a Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia. He is a Senior Fellow of FINSIA.
Natalie Alford

Executive Officer Governance and Risk - appointed November 2017

Natalie's portfolio of responsibilities includes the fund's risk and compliance, legal and company secretarial functions. She joined Equip from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), where she was a manager in the Specialised Institutions Division, leading analysts in the prudential supervision and risk assessment of large and complex industry funds. Natalie's qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Bond University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law in Melbourne and a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
Tania Cumming

Executive Officer Strategy and Markets - appointed April 2018

Tania joins Equip following senior roles in the energy sector and private health insurance. She is a marketing professional who is passionate about the customer experience and member engagement. Tania is responsible for supporting the development of our business strategy across marketing channels and customer touchpoints. She looks forward to empowering Equip’s members to get the most out of their super, and helping them achieve their long term financial goals. Tania holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of the IMD Business School.
John Farrington

Executive Officer, Corporate Development and Growth - appointed August 2012

John joined Equip from Citigroup, where he was Head of Retirement Services. Prior to Citigroup, John worked for AXA Australia. He has worked in most areas of superannuation and is now responsible for Business Development. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monash University and a diploma of Financial Planning from FINSIA. Prior to his appointment as Executive Officer, John held other senior positions in the organisation from May 2005.
Brett Grant

Executive Officer, Commercial - appointed July 2017

Brett was previously Fund Secretary of the Rio Tinto Staff Superannuation Fund prior to its merger with Equip on 1 July 2017. He has extensive experience in superannuation, having previously been employed in senior roles at Mercer and the Melbourne Water Board. Brett is a Fellow of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (FASFA) and his qualifications include a BBus (Acc) from Victoria University of Technology.
Wayne Grant

Executive Officer, Investment Integration - appointed July 2017

Wayne was Principal Investment Officer for the Rio Tinto Staff Superannuation Fund before it merged with Equip on 1 July 2017. He is responsible for the integration and alignment of the two funds' investment portfolios within the Equip investment options and product framework. Prior to RTSSF, Wayne held senior positions with the Government Superannuation Office and STA Super. His qualifications include a BSc (Hons) and a DipFP.
Sarah Guthleben

Executive Officer People, Capability and Enablement - appointed October 2014

Sarah brings valuable insights from a range of industry sectors into her role at Equip. Sarah promotes knowledge and an operating environment that enables our people to deliver the outcomes expected by the fund's members and employers. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Distinction) from RMIT and a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Human Studies from the University of Western Australia. Prior to her appointment as Executive Officer, Sarah held other senior positions in the organisation from May 2011.
Camille Magee

Executive Officer, Member Engagement - appointed September 2017

Camille is responsible for the full spectrum of Equip's member advisory and support services, from member Helpline to full-service financial planning advice. Her career in financial planning includes roles with Telstra Super Financial Planning, Citigroup and Westpac/BT Financial Group. Camille’s qualifications include a Diploma of Financial Advising through the Securities Institute. She is a Certified Financial Planner, awarded by the Financial Planning Association. Camille joined Equip to lead the financial planning team in October 2008.
Troy Rieck

Executive Officer, Investment Performance - appointed July 2016

Troy has overall responsibility for investment outcomes at Equip, and leads the internal investment team. He is also involved in product strategy and development, focussing on creating better retirement incomes to Equip’s 75,000 members. Prior to joining Equip, Troy was a senior investment manager at Suncorp and Queensland Investment Corporation. Prior to his appointment he was the Executive Officer (liability management) at Equip. He holds a B.Sc (Mathematics), M.Comm (Professional Accounting) and B.A. (Economics) from The University of QLD, and is a graduate of the Securities Institute of Australia, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Investment Management Consultants Association.