Meet our Board of Directors

Michael Cameron

FCA, FCPA, FAICD

Michael was appointed as Chair of the Equip Super Trustee Board in November 2023. He is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Board Chair, currently chairing Resolution Capital Limited, the People First Bank and the NSW Land Registry Services. 

Michael has strong expertise and knowledge in investments, finance, strategy and people leadership. His has led major cultural and organisational transformations, delivered value creating growth initiatives, and implemented industry leading technology change programs. He has also gained experience from involvement in regulatory governance reviews of the financial services industry.

He was previously the Group CEO of Suncorp, and The GPT Group, as well as the Group CFO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. He held senior executive roles in a diverse range of property and financial services groups in private and public sector organisations, as well as not-for-profits.

Michael is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a fellow of CPA Australia with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

• Appointed: 1 November 2023

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Chair of the Board / Independent Director
• Member, Audit and Finance Committee
• Member, Risk and Compliance Committee
• Member, Governance and Culture Committee

Justine Hickey

BCom, F FIN, GAICD

Justine is a professional non-executive director with over 30 years' experience in investments, superannuation and corporate governance.  She chairs the board of fund manager, DNR Capital Pty Ltd and is a non-executive director of QIC Ltd. Previously, she was Chair of RSPCA QLD, and 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 has a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and 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.

• Appointed: July 2017

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Independent Director / Deputy Board Chair
• Chair, Investment Committee
• Member, Governance and Culture Committee

Penny Davy-Whyte

BA (Mktg & Comm), GAIST

Penny has over 25 years’ experience as a marketing and communication specialist. Throughout her professional career, Penny has consulted across an extensive range of business sectors and has a proven track record of establishing strong relationships across multiple stakeholders, developing high performing results driven teams.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Marketing major) from Canberra University and has led some of the country’s largest strategic media accounts, including extensive Government stakeholders.  Penny has previously founded a media strategy agency, The T!lt Agency and is currently the Managing Partner of OMD.

In addition to her position with Equip Super, she is an active contributor to the marketing profession and the Media Federation of Australia. She is a regular guest lecturer at both the Australian National University and Canberra University in Brand and digital strategy and previously held the Chair role at the Australian Marketing Institute for Canberra. 

Penny has extensive not for profit board experience previously, chairing the Ronald McDonald House Charities (SENSW and ACT) and the Luke Batty Foundation.

• Appointed: July 2018

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Independent Director
• Chair, Stakeholder Engagement and Innovation Committee
• Member, Risk and Compliance Committee

Simone Thompson

BA/LLB, FASFA, FGIA

Simone has 20 years’ experience working with the boards and management teams of industry, retail and corporate superannuation funds. Throughout her professional career, Simone has developed extensive experience in providing governance, compliance and risk management solutions.

She holds a Combined Law/Arts Degree (BA/LLB) from Monash University and founded a compliance consultancy ST Consult, where she consults broadly to the financial services industry and has demonstrated an ability to build strong relationships as a trusted advisor.

In addition to her position with Equip Super, Simone currently sits on the boards of True Oak Investments, an AFS Licensee and Trustee services company supporting purpose-led businesses and boutique funds management firms, and Northern Rivers Housing, a not-for-profit providing long-term social, affordable and innovative housing solutions to those in need across the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

• Appointed: October 2019
• Member : Equip Super

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Member Director
• Member, Investment Committee
• Member, Risk and Compliance Committee

Matthew Cassin

MBA, BCom

Matthew Cassin brings over 30 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, with senior leadership roles at the Catholic Development Fund and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. His extensive expertise spans fund administration, investment management, strategic development, and risk management, driving impactful outcomes in complex financial environments.

Matthew holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Commerce, and has recently completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

• Appointed: August 2021
• Member: Equip Super 

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Member Director
• Member, Audit and Finance Committee
• Member, Stakeholder Engagement and Innovation Committee

Julian Widdup

BEc, MBA, FAICD, FIA, FIAA

Julian is an actuary and economist with 20 years’ experience in the superannuation and asset management industries. He has significant expertise in investment governance, business, finance and risk management. He has held directorships with Australian and international companies in the airport, transport, power utilities, agriculture, timberland, education, healthcare, defence and financial services industries.

Julian holds Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Senior Executives Leadership program.

In addition to his position with Equip Super, Julian currently sits on the boards of ASX listed entity Rural Funds Group, Australian Catholic University and Catholic Schools NSW. 

• Appointed: July 2023
• Member: Equip Super 

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Member Director
• Member, Investment Committee
• Member, Audit and Finance Committee

David Doolan

BBus (Acc), MAICD, TFASFA

David holds more than 25 years’ experience in corporate treasury and finance, including extensive financial markets experience. He has worked for a number of global corporations across a diverse range of industries, including mining, automotive, financial services and manufacturing. David brings a wealth of knowledge to his role having previously been a Member Director of Rio Tinto’s former superannuation fund.

David has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and an Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia accredited Trustee Fellow (TFASFA).

• Appointed: October 2020
• Nominating Source: Rio Tinto

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Employer Director
• Chair, Risk and Compliance Committee
• Member, Investment Committee

Mark Cerche

B. Juris LLB (Hons)

Mark has over 40 years’ experience in superannuation, estate planning and administration, elder law, funds management, corporate and securities law. Throughout his professional career, Mark was a partner at Allens, a leading international law firm, and held various roles on the Superannuation Committee of the Law Council of Australia, the Corporate Superannuation Association Inc and the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal Advisory Committee.

He holds a B. Juris LLB (Hons) from Monash University, a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours.

In addition to his position with Equip Super, Mark continues to practice as a sole practitioner and as Chair to several private trustee companies.

• Appointed: July 2017
• Nominating Source: Rio Tinto

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Employer Director
• Chair, Audit and Finance Committee
• Member, Stakeholder Engagement and Innovation Committee

Sharife Rahmani

BCom, BEcon, GCertPA, GAICD

Employer Director

Sharife brings over 25 years’ experience in the banking, finance and government sectors, with a particular focus on life insurance, superannuation and regulation. In a range of senior Executive roles.

Sharife has delivered governance, stakeholder engagement and regulatory effectiveness and he has a strong interest in the optimisation of organisational culture.

Sharife holds a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Statistics), Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has undertaken a Senior Executive Integrity and Ethical Leadership Program with the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

In 2023 Sharife was awarded the Garry Weaven Emerging Trustee Scholarship, which recognises emerging talent in the superannuation trustee space.

• Appointed: June 2021
• Nominating Source: Energy Safe Victoria

Equip Super Roles and Responsibilities:

• Employer Director
• Chair, Governance and Culture Committee
• Member, Stakeholder Engagement and Innovation Committee