Fairley to step down as Togethr chair

Andrew Fairley, who spent a dozen years leading Equip Super - the last two as chair of the joint venture with Catholic Super - will leave the organisation at the end of the month.

In comments to Financial Standard, Fairley said the timing is right. "I had always envisaged I'd be leaving around this time. I possibly could have left a year or two ago because I felt the fund was in good shape, but the opportunity to bring Catholic Super in and, at the same time, have an opportunity to bring a skilled chair on to follow me was pretty compelling," he said.

Equip and Catholic Super are nearing the conclusion of the successor fund transfer that has created Togethr Trustees. Unlike other mergers that have created new companies that eschewed the previous brands, the Catholic Super and Equip identities will be retained. "The Catholic Super brand means a great deal to the members of that fund. It's been a distinguished fund over many years, and it has a strong following, so I think it would be folly for us not to want to retain that."

Fairley told Financial Standard that he intends to remain involved in financial services and superannuation though doesn't share any specifics.

Outside of his involvement with Togethr, Fairley has experience as a superannuation and equity lawyer, most recently with Hall & Wilcox. He's held board and chair positions with a diverse group of organisations including Tourism Australia and Zoos Victoria. He is currently a director for the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and is on the board of Qualitas Securities.

Reporting from Jamie Williamson at Financial Standard contributed to this story.