Taking small steps in the right direction

Dylan Nguyen is the Senior Manager, Finance of NGS, responsible for the management of the Trustee finances and operating costs of the business. He manages a team of 3, who work together to maximise member’s super savings.

The path to super

Dylan had initially planned to work in computing, but after completing a B.Sc in Information Technology, he realised his passion was numbers and went on to complete a Masters in Accounting. From there, Dylan was keen on a sea change and moved to London. His experience in the UK further built on his skillset, including risk management and auditing in the professional services sector. London remained home for 8 years, where he and his wife had 2 kids and travelled around Europe. When he returned to Sydney, Dylan continued to develop his expertise in finance and, in 2020, took on a role at NGS – his first position in superannuation. ‘Super is a complex and highly regulated industry and that’s what makes it challenging but also dynamic. There is much to consider in ensuring that the Fund adheres to regulatory and compliance standards. The bar is constantly being raised, and it’s important to keep up with that journey,’ said Dylan.

A passion for sustainability

In his role, Dylan needs to balance regulatory requirements while still delivering on the service and social responsibility standards expected by members. Doing that successfully requires a retrospective as well as a growth mindset. ‘This approach is something I have always adopted in my career,’ said Dylan. ‘I believe it comes from my interest in sustainability.’ Dylan has always been involved with volunteering in community, and environmental groups. ‘Interestingly, there are a lot of similarities between super and sustainability. It’s about planting seeds today to create an abundant future.’ Dylan’s interest in sustainability goes way back. As a child, he always wanted to be like nature advocate David Attenborough. ‘Sustainability affects all of us. Individuals, businesses and the wider community. Contributing to the environment is a way of thinking – a philosophy that drives practical action. It’s about taking small steps in the right direction today to ensure we end up in the right place in the future.’

Bridging the gap

While Dylan’s studies and career have taken several turns, he has found his passion in super. He shares what someone wanting to follow his steps might want to consider. ‘Finance isn’t just about numbers. You do need to be good with numbers, for sure, but people skills are just as important. You need to be able to explain finance concepts to non-finance people and bridge the information gap. It’s really about being able to break down concepts and explain them in a simple way.’

Outside work of work, you will find Dylan with his three kids and wife, gardening, and enjoying nature. This year, he has a goal to plant 100 trees (he’s planted 76 so far). ‘We are so very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country, and I believe it’s all of our responsibility to leave something better when we’re gone.’