Getting back into the game: Q&A with MIESF's new CIO Chris Artis

Having been out of the super fund industry for the last three years, Chris Artis says he's excited to get back into asset management as he takes on his new role as CIO with Meat Industry Employees' Superannuation Fund (MIESF). He tells Industry Moves what he likes about working for a smaller fund, speaks of two mentors that have equipped him with a "nicely rounded skill-set" and shares the greatest lesson that he's learnt so far.

CHRIS ARTIS

Having been out of the super fund industry for the last three years, Chris Artis says he's excited to get back into asset management as he takes on his new role as CIO with Meat Industry Employees' Superannuation Fund (MIESF). He tells Industry Moves what he likes about working for a smaller fund, speaks of two mentors that have equipped him with a "nicely rounded skill-set" and shares the greatest lesson that he's learnt so far.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as CIO for MIESF?

The thing that I'm looking forward to the most is getting back into asset management. We're managing assets on behalf of a known pool of members. The fact that the pool is $750 million dollars and a large part of that is managed internally through a number of portfolios, is something that attracted me to this role. Having a mix of managing internal portfolios and external managers was a really good opportunity to get back into managing assets and having responsibility for outcomes.

What are your goals within this role for the next 12 months?

My goal over the next year is to get across all of the portfolios, across all of the asset classes. I want to know them well and understand the nuances that exist within each of those portfolios.

Having first joined the super industry in the late 90s and having worked for a variety of funds since then, what are some of the major industry changes that you've noticed?

I've only been out of the super industry since leaving TelstraSuper in 2014. Having worked for a number of super funds, you see the ways that funds have evolved to become much more professional and commercially focused. It's also important to make sure that efficiencies exist both operationally and from an investment management perspective. Super funds are now operating as a true investment management business and the administration side is run like a truer administration business with efficiencies in place for better member outcomes.

How do you feel about joining a small fund, with approximately 23,800 members, after working for larger funds such as Vision Super and TelstraSuper?

There's a nice feeling about working for a small fund that is focused on its membership base; it knows who its members are. The fund isn't distracted by trying to get bigger and be all things to all members. It's a narrow focus that you can then throw all of your energy and efforts into.

What has been the greatest lesson you've learnt throughout your career so far?

The greatest lesson that I've learnt over my 30 odd years is to be prepared to try different things. If you get the opportunity to try different things, embrace them, even if it puts you outside of your comfort zone. Never pass up an opportunity to do something different and to learn new skills. The easiest thing is to say 'no' because you think, "what If I stuff up or get it wrong?" For me, the most rewarding part of the last 30 years has been doing a number of different roles, learning from them and hopefully doing a good job on each one.

What has been the best piece of advice that you have received?

Having worked with a lot of smart people, I've been told "to be prepared to back yourself and make a decision." If you're going to wait around to get all of the information and every single fact then you'll never make a decision. So be prepared to make the choice and live with the consequences, good or bad.

What was your very first job?

My first job was a bus boy at a nightclub in Moonee Ponds. I was collecting glasses before I was promoted to barman.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life/career so far?

I'd say there are two people. The first person is Graham Dunstan, one of the first CEOs at Emergency Services Super. He encouraged me to try and take on new roles across that business. The second influence was Steve Merlicek who at the time was CIO at TelstraSuper. He was a big supporter of managing money in-house and really backing yourself in terms of managing assets. Those two people, for different reasons, provided me with a nicely rounded skill-set. Graham gave me the opportunity to try new things and from an investment point of view, Steve was really focused on investment performance and getting the best out of the team. Also, the importance of culture was something that Steve impressed on me and the rest of the team.

Is there a particular charity or cause that you support?

I'm a supporter of Alzheimer Australia. They're trying to find a cure for this disease that impacts hundreds and thousands of Australians and it's just getting worse.