The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees has awarded Av Super's outgoing chair David Leggo as this year's Trustee of the Year.

Leggo thanked his team, including the three chief executives he had worked with during his decades of work in the industry, for their support.

Many of whom were featured in a surprise video organised by AIST where Leggo was lauded for his generous spirit and interest in the welfare of both Av Super staff and fund members.

"It's important that as directors we do not forget that it is the fund staff that determine the outcomes and who are the backbone of this industry," he said.

Handing the award at the Conference of Major Superannuation Funds (CMSF) in Brisbane this week was Hazel McNeilage, head of Fund Management for QIC (the Award's key supporter).

"Excellence in trusteeship is the key to the ongoing success of our industry," she said, adding that the recognition of Leggo's contribution was "timely and well-deserved."

Similarly, AIST chief said Leggo is a worthy recipient of the award because his active engagement at board, staff and member levels represent the "true spirit of our representative trustee system".

AIST is the peak industry body for the $450 billion not-for-profit super sector, covering the superannuation interests of nearly two-thirds of the Australian workforce.