General Counsel and Company Secretary departs Rest following restructure

Rest has confirmed that the role of general counsel and company secretary, held by Paul Howard since 2011, has been made redundant.

Howard commenced his in-house career in financial services organisations in 2005, with a focus on funds management and asset management, according to Rest. Prior to moving in-house, he spent nine years in private practice in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Howard's is one of five redundancies following a restructure of the executive team that also saw the creation of two new roles: group executive, employer and industry engagement, awarded to Deborah Potts; and group executive, people and change, awarded to Trevor Evans.

These two roles are the first of a total of six newly-created group executive roles that will lead Rest's new internal working groups: employer and industry engagement, people and change, product and operations, innovation and transformation, corporate services and member engagement. Recruitment is underway for the remaining roles, with announcements due in the coming weeks and months, the fund said.

Vicki Doyle, Rest's chief executive officer, said: "The formation of the new working groups under the leadership of interdependent Group Executives will drive outstanding member experience and enable collaborative and end-to-end oversight of member and employer engagement, design and product and operations execution."

In acknowledging Howard's service, Doyle added: "Paul's contribution as company secretary and general counsel has been an invaluable support to the board and entire executive team."

Leaving the $51 billion fund in addition to Howard are: Craig Hobart, general manager, strategic relations; Sandra Coleman, general manager, transformation and technology; Chris Stevens, chief financial officer; and Beth Parkin, general manager, customer service.

Editors note: Departing executives will assist with the relevant transition over the next few months, a spokesperson for Rest confirmed. The departure date of 1 January 2019 below is indicative only and will be updated as more information is made available.