Mercer Super chief executive steps down

Mercer Super chief executive Claire Ross is departing after almost 17 years in senior leadership roles at the retail super fund.

As the firm looks for a replacement, Mercer Pacific chief financial officer Court Haas has been appointed as interim chief executive of Mercer Super, effective August 13.

Mercer owner Marsh Pacific's chief executive David Bryant said the recruitment process for the new chief executive is underway and is being overseen by Mercer Super chair Jim Minto.

Ross served as chief executive for nearly two years, having previously been the chief operating officer.

"It has been a big decision to step away from a business and the people I have worked with for many years. I love the people, the culture, the work ethic, and I've made many friends," Ross said in a LinkedIn post.

"After 17 years in senior roles with Mercer, it's time to reset my priorities. For me, this includes some travel and connecting with family. It's bittersweet. I feel both sad and proud. Sad, because of the deep connections I have formed here, and proud, because of what we have achieved."

Bryant added: "Claire's leadership and breadth of knowledge have been foundational to Mercer Super's transformation over recent years."

In his current role, Haas oversees Mercer's financial strategy and operations across the Pacific region. Before joining Mercer, Haas spent seven years providing financial consulting and chief financial officer advisory services, to numerous businesses, with a focus on large scale projects including business combinations, integrations and finance transformations.

"Mercer Super has undergone tremendous growth over recent years with the fund now serving more than one million members with over $85 billion under management," Bryant said.

"Underpinning that growth is our ongoing investment program in personnel, technology, systems and processes which is strengthening the fund for the benefit of members."

Mercer recently reported its financial years returns with the default option SmartPath providing members between 10% to 10.6% across age-based cohorts for members aged between 18 and 52.