HESTA unveils new leaders for property, financial risk

HESTA has named a pair of general managers, who will be joining the $107 billion super fund, joining from Aware Super and QIC.

Daniel Tait will join as general manager, investment and financial risk later this month, while Briar Dowsett will commence in a newly created role of general manager, property, in November.

In his new role, Tait will lead HESTA's investment and financial risk management capability, reporting to James Haviland, who was appointed head of risk in August alongside John O'Sullivan who also joined as deputy chief financial officer.

Tait has more than two decades of experience across financial markets, capital risk, regulatory risk and compliance. He is currently the investments line 1 risk leader at Aware Super, a role he's held fore more than three years. Previously, he held senior risk roles at National Australia Bank (NAB) and AustralianSuper in Melbourne, as well as Clydesdale Bank, ING, and Deutsche Asset Management across the UK and Netherlands earlier in his career.

Commenting, HESTA chief risk officer Natalie Alford said she is excited to welcome Tait.

"Daniel's deep superannuation and investment risk expertise, combined with his strong track record of partnering with the business, will help ensure our investment and financial risk capability keeps pace as the fund continues to grow for its members," Alford said.

Tait added: "I'm delighted to join HESTA as the fund enters this next stage of growth, using my skills and experience in investment risk to help the fund protect and grow members' long-term super balances."

Meanwhile, Dowsett will lead the fund's property team, bringing over 30 years' experience across super, institutional funds management and real estate. She will report to deputy chief investment officer and head of portfolio management Jeff Brunton.

Dowsett will join from QIC Real Estate, where she's stationed for almost a decade. She is currently fund manager and head of mandates. Prior to QIC, Dowsett served in senior positions across QSuper, NAB, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, BT Financial Group and KPMG.

Brunton highlighted the increasingly important role property assets play to deliver long-term returns.

"Briar's appointment to this new role will strengthen our ability to keep identifying quality opportunities, in Australia and offshore, as we continue to grow and diversify this asset class," Brunton said.

Dowsett said: "HESTA has a long and proud record of investing with purpose."

"I'm looking forward to contributing to a property portfolio that performs for members over the long term while making a positive contribution to the communities they live and work in."