Julie Lander plans for life after CareSuper

CareSuper chief executive Julie Lander said after taking a well-earned break, she remains interested in continuing to contribute to the super sector or the community in some way.

Lander said on Monday that she will will step down after more than 21 years with the $20 billion industry fund for office workers and admin staff.

Commenting on her future plans she said: "I don't want to be too specific but it's better to have a break after 20 years with the super fund and look at opportunities that come my way.

"I'm still interested in super and in improving outcomes for Australians and women in particular."She will stay on in the role until the end of the year when the board will name her successor."

Lander joined CareSuper as a general manager in 2001 when it had just $1 billion in funds under management and was promoted to chief executive the following year.

She arrived from a career in human resources, having held senior HR roles with RACV and Australian Industry Group.

Under her stewardship, CareSuper has won many awards for its long-term performance, smooth ride, and customer service.

In a release, CareSuper chair, Linda Scott, acknowledged Lander's contribution.

"We are committed to ensuring our strong culture is retained as we grow to be the leading challenger fund to Australia's mega funds and continue to outperform for our members for the future," she said.

"Julie has played a significant role in Australia's superannuation industry, serving our members and the broader superannuation movement with distinction over many years."

Scott added that Lander leaves her successor with a substantial foundation to build on, having recently led an organisational review, reinvigorating the executive leadership team with key appointments and launching a five-year strategy to underpin the fund's next growth phase.

"We're grateful that Julie will continue to serve as our CEO during the transition to a new leader, ensuring continuity and stability for our wonderful staff and valued members," she concluded.

Commenting on her decision to stand down from the top job, Lander noted that CareSuper punches well above its weight.

"I am proud CareSuper is recognised as a leading industry Fund, not only for our investment outcomes and accomplishments but also for our commitment to product innovation and service delivery.

"Having served the fund and its members for over two decades, I believe it is the right time to step aside and hand over to a new leader to take CareSuper forward."

News of Lander's resignation comes just one week after the longstanding chief executive said she was weighing merger partners, saying a tie-up with a peer to create a $50 billion fund is a smart alternative to going it alone.

Without specifying preferred suitors, Lander said the industry fund for professional, office, and like-minded people is an attractive target no matter which way you slice it.

"We are open to mergers as achieving more scale makes us a more competitive and sustainable fund and allows us to keep offering and developing our unique value proposition and true innovation in superannuation," she said last week.

"We are all looking for a broader membership base, so we are focused on growing the fund organically and inorganically."

The news also came close on the heels of the announcement that NGS Super chief executive  Laura Wright will retire.