Meet our team

Sponsoring organisation: Association of Independent Schools NSW

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Education, Master of Educational Administration, PhD in Financial Management in Education, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Experience and expertise

Dr Newcombe has been an Employer Director since 1 March 2013. He has had extensive experience in school management and finance having held positions of Head and Business Manager in a number of Independent Schools. He has held a number of positions in independent schools, and in 1998 joined the Association of Independent Schools as Director of School Governance and Industrial Relations. He was the Executive Director of AIS (NSW) from 2005 to 2022.

Special responsibilities

• Chair of Board
• Chair of the Nominations and Appointment Committee
• Member of the HR, Remuneration and Governance Committee
• Member of the Investment Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: SA Commission for Catholic Schools

Qualifications: Master Education Studies, Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Teaching, Graduate Diploma of Religious Education, Graduate Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

Experience and expertise

Georgina has been an Employer Director since 1 July 2014. She has worked as Assistant Director, Principal Consultant, School Principal and teacher in Catholic Education SA and is currently an independent consultant supporting sector and school leadership in Catholic Education. She has significant experience in leadership recruitment and selection, strategic planning, risk management, human resources and school governance.

Special responsibilities

• Deputy Chair
• Chair of the HR, Remuneration and Governance Committee
• Member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Independent Education Union SA

Qualifications: Bachelor of Journalism, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Experience and expertise

Patrick has been a Member Director since 12 May 2022. He is an experienced business owner, founder of a national communications and digital agency that employs 20 staff, with clients including the AFL, Nokia Australia and Charter Hall. His skills and experience include strategy, corporate governance, communications and business development.

Special responsibilities

• Chair of the Member Engagement Committee
• Member of the HR, Remuneration and Governance Committee
• Member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Independent Education Union Vic/Tas

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Business Studies), Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Experience and expertise

David has been a Member Director since 2 April 2022. He is an experienced education professional, and currently holds roles as Treasurer of the Teacher Learning Network, Vice President of the Independent Education Union (IEU) of Australia, and General Secretary of the IEU Vic/Tas. He is also a lawyer admitted before the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Special responsibilities

• Chair of the Product and Insurance Committee
• Member of the Risk Audit and Compliance Committee
• Member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Independent Education Union Qld/NT

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, Master of Educational Administration, Graduate Diploma in Education, Certificate in Finance, Certificate in Governance for Not for Profits, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Experience and expertise

Terry has been a Member Director since 6 May 2019, and was previously Chair of the QIEC Super Board. He is the Branch Secretary of the Independent Education Union in Qld/NT and has experience in organisational development and administration, risk assessment and management, strategic and policy development. He taught and held administrative positions in Catholic schools.

Special responsibilities

• Chair of the Investment Committee
• Member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee
• Member of the Member Engagement Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Certificate of Governance and Risk Management.

Experience and expertise

Carol has been a Member Director since 27 September 2023. She has been a member of the IEUA for over 39 years where she has held a number of roles including serving as Deputy Secretary for the NSW/ACT Branch since 2019, with a period in 2021-2022 serving as an Acting Secretary. She has been Federal President of the IEUA since April 2023. Carol has experience in organisational development, administration, cyber security, data management and corporate governance.

Special responsibilities

• Member of the Product and Insurance Committee

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Community Management Solutions

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education Study, Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education (University of Queensland), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Master of Information Management (QUT), Graduate Super Members Council of Australia Trustee Director.

Experience and expertise

Deborah has been an Employer Director since 1 January 2022. She is a higher education professional, with over 30 years’ experience in not-for-profit superannuation, education and community sectors. Her roles have included Sessional Lecturer in Information Management (QUT), Head of Centre for Learning and Innovation at Ormiston College, Brisbane and Teacher and Librarian at St Augustine’s College, Brisbane.

Special responsibilities

• Member of the Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee
• Member of the Member Engagement Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Accounting), Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment (FINSIA), Diploma of Superannuation (AIST), Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors, CA ANZ.

Experience and expertise

Brett has been an independent director since 1 September 2024. He has significant Board and executive experience in the financial services industry.  He spent more than a decade as an independent director of industry super funds Combined Super and then Prime Super.  He has also held executive roles with investment and governance leadership accountability for UniSuper, Frontier, Perpetual and NAB.

Special responsibilities

• Member of the Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee 
• Member of the Investment Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Sponsoring organisation: Roman Catholic Province of Sydney

Qualifications: Bachelor of Economics, Financial Planning Accreditation (Deakin University), Financial Planning Specialist (Institute of Chartered Accountants), Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Experience and expertise

Michelene has been an Employer Director since 26 August 2019. She is an experienced professional in funds management, treasury, risk management, compliance and corporate governance, and has held roles as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director and Financial Controller and Chief Operation Officer. Michelene was most recently the Chair of Perpetual Superannuation Limited.

Special responsibilities

• Chair of the Risk Audit and Compliance Committee
• Member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee
• Member of the Investment Committee.

Other Directorships and appointments are detailed in the Interests and Duties Register.

Natalie was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 5 June 2023, after 9 months acting in the role. Prior to her role as Acting CEO, Natalie held the position of Chief Risk and Governance Officer. She joined the Fund in 2019. As Chief Executive Officer, Natalie is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Fund’s operations while leading the Executive team in the successful execution of the Fund’s strategy. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Law, a Graduate Diploma in applied Corporate Governance, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and an admitted Solicitor in New South Wales. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Natalie brings her skills and expertise to lead the Fund and deliver sound outcomes for members.

Ben was appointed to the Executive team on 29 August 2017. As Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy CEO, Ben is responsible for the maintenance and advancement of all strategy, product, finance and information security functions within the Fund. He oversees the operating framework and development of the strategy that enables the Fund to continue its focus on providing valuable services for members.

Ben joined NGS following 5 years as an Actuarial Consultant and Partner at Deloitte. Prior to his time with Deloitte, Ben spent almost 20 years with Mercer, initially as an Actuarial Consultant, then an International Retirement Consultant in London and finally as a Retirement Practice Leader, South Asia in Singapore. Ben holds a Bachelor of Economics (Actuarial Studies).

Ben was appointed to the Executive team on 12 March 2018. As Chief Investment Officer, Ben is responsible for formulating both the short and long-term investment strategies, recommending investments, overseeing our team of investment professionals, and managing external asset consultants.

After working for MLC as an Investment Analyst, Ben joined the NGS Super Investments team in 2008. Ben holds a Bachelor of Business with Majors in Accounting and Finance, as well as a Master of Applied Finance.

Chris was appointed to the Executive team on 1 July 2020. As Chief Operating Officer, Chris is responsible for the strategic delivery of operations through administration, insurance and helplines, vendor management, and corporate services, including People and Culture, in the delivery of human resources. He brings more than 25 years’ experience across operations management, change leadership, process improvement and service, retention and growth, particularly in the superannuation space. Chris holds a Bachelor of Business from Charles Sturt University.

Darryn was appointed to the Executive team on 1 July 2021. As Chief Advice and Education Officer, he is responsible for delivering financial advice and education services at NGS Super. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a Master of Financial Planning. With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Darryn has a broad depth of expertise across the financial services sector and is passionate about the meaningful change that can be made to peoples’ lives through financial advice and education.

Jo was appointed to the Executive team on 24 April 2023. As Chief Growth Officer, Jo leads the overarching Growth Strategy for the Fund, focusing on retention, acquisition of new business and strategic partnership growth for the member and employer landscape.

Jo has over 25 years’ experience in the superannuation industry both within retail and industry funds, having held senior roles at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), Rest, ME Bank, Hostplus, BT, AMP, AXA and ANZ. Jo is a Fellow of The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, holds a Diploma of Financial Planning and Diploma of Marketing, and is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Philippa was appointed to the Executive team on 3 July 2023. As Chief Risk Officer, Philippa is responsible for developing, enhancing, and implementing an effective risk management framework, leading both the Risk and Governance team in the management of regulatory matters and government affairs.

Philippa is an experienced executive with a demonstrated track record in leading risk and compliance functions across financial services through complex and challenging periods. She has over 25 years’ corporate experience in the financial services sector, including roles at Allianz Australia and Insurance Australia Group. Philippa is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Accounting from the Australian National University and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sadeer was appointed to the Executive team on 1 July 2024. As Chief Technology Officer, Sadeer is responsible for leading, planning and optimising technology, data and digital strategies to meet the current and future needs of the business. He is a well-rounded technologist with more than 25 years’ experience in technology transformations and building data-informed cultures across different sectors in Australia and overseas, including the United Nations. Sadeer holds a Bachelor of Electronics and Communications Engineering.

Melissa was appointed to the Executive team on 1 July 2019 to 6 September 2024. As the Chief Experience Officer, Melissa is responsible for the Fund’s marketing, communications, brand, events, and digital platforms, providing ultimate oversight of the member and employer experience.

Melissa has 21 years’ marketing experience, including roles at J.P. Morgan, ANZ, QSuper, and Telstra. She holds a Bachelor of Business Communications from the Queensland University of Technology, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, RG146 Qualifications, is a certified Direct and Digital Marketer and a previous fellow of the Australian Institute of Marketing.

As Chief Advice Officer, Darryn is responsible for the delivery of the financial advice service at NGS Super. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a Master of Financial Planning. With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Darryn has a broad depth of expertise across the financial advice sector and is passionate about the meaningful change that can be made to peoples’ lives through financial advice.

Cheryl is a Certified Financial Planner®, holding a Bachelor of Business (Accounting, Business Law and Taxation), a Diploma of Financial Planning and a Diploma of Superannuation Management. Cheryl joined NGS in July 2019, bringing with her over 17 years of financial planning experience. She specialises in wealth accumulation, superannuation and retirement planning strategies.

Cheryl’s passion lies in helping our members realise and achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Cheryl is based in the Brisbane office and regularly services our regional Queensland members.

Trudy is a Certified Financial Planner® with a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and over 20 years of experience in wealth management and financial services. Trudy is a specialist in superannuation, retirement planning and portfolio construction. Trudy joined NGS in July 2016. She is based in our Adelaide office and regularly visits Perth to service our Western Australian members.

Trudy enjoys educating our members and assisting them in removing the stress associated with planning retirement.

Maria is a Certified Financial Planner® holding a Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Finance Major) and a Diploma of Financial Planning. As a Financial Planner for the past 14 years, Maria’s expertise is expansive, covering areas such as debt and risk management strategies, corporate superannuation, wealth creation and retirement planning. Based in Sydney, Maria services members locally as well as in Melbourne.

Toby Perkins is a Certified Financial Planner® with over a decade of experience in the industry. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance), a Graduate Diploma in Global Wealth Management and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning. Toby is based in Adelaide and specialises in superannuation, retirement planning and wealth accumulation.

Toby enjoys getting to know members and their own unique circumstances in the process of helping them achieve their lifestyle goals and objectives.

Emerson is a financial planner with over twenty years of experience in the industry. As a retirement planning specialist adviser who understands aged care, he is passionate about helping people learn about their finances and put them in a better position for retirement.

He is a Fellow Charted Financial Planner (FChFP), has a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and has met the FASEA ongoing education requirements.

Vince is a Certified Financial Planner®, holding a Master of Commerce (Financial Planning) and a Diploma of Financial Planning. Vince joined NGS in September 2014. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Vince has extensive specialist knowledge in pre-retirement planning, retirement planning and risk management advice strategies. Vince is based in our Sydney office and regularly services our members in Canberra.

Vince’s passion lies in empowering our members through financial education and providing them with peace of mind.