Brighter Super appoints Damien Webb as Chief Investment Officer
27 January 2026
Brighter Super has appointed one of Australia’s most experienced and accomplished investment strategists, Damien Webb, to oversee its $37 billion portfolio as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) following an extensive international recruitment search.
Mr Webb, who is currently Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Aware Super and leads Aware Super’s UK operations, will join Brighter Super in April signalling the next phase of development for the Queensland-based fund.
With a career spanning three decades with ING Investment Management, Perpetual Investments and most recently Aware Super, Mr Webb has extensive experience in setting and executing investment strategies across all asset classes and within multi-asset class portfolios.
Mr Webb led Aware Super’s UK expansion, opening its London office in 2023, establishing its business management, governance and investment function. He was a member of the Management Investment Committee and established direct investment capabilities and strategy across infrastructure, property and credit income.
Mr Webb will return from the UK to take up his position with Brighter Super as CIO, based in Sydney.
Brighter Super Chief Executive Officer Kate Farrar welcomed Mr Webb’s appointment.
“As Brighter Super continues to grow in scale and sophistication, Damien’s experience in building multi-asset class portfolios and global direct investment platforms will be invaluable. I am certain he will continue our strong investment performance and help the fund reach the next stage of our growth and maturity,” Ms Farrar said.
“Damien’s expertise will augment our existing exceptional investment team and governance framework with even more investment strategy and experience and continue to support our investment into Queensland through our Queensland Asset Strategy.”
Brighter Super has consistently delivered strong investment performances since its mergers including annual double-digit returns in eight Accumulation and Pension diversified options for the three years to 31 December 2025, including its MySuper default option.
Brighter Super Chairman Ron Dewhurst said, “Damien brings exceptional judgement, a strong international perspective and deep investment experience at a time when global markets and geopolitics are becoming increasingly complex. I am confident his leadership will strengthen Brighter Super’s ability to navigate uncertainty, manage risk and make disciplined long-term investment decisions in the best interests of members.”
Mr Webb said he was excited to be joining Brighter Super where there was so much leadership experience in investments, including Mr Dewhurst, a seasoned international investment professional, and Ms Farrar, a former bond fund manager.
Mr Webb also said he admired Brighter Super’s commitment to personal service and its pledge to members to be “right by your side”.
“Brighter Super represents a fantastic opportunity to work with an experienced Board, Kate Farrar and a highly regarded investment team with a strong track record, and to further develop a best-practice ‘total portfolio’ approach – truly managing the fund as one integrated portfolio, one team, one fund,” Mr Webb said.
“I’m particularly excited about continuing to strengthen how we use data, technology and AI to support better decision-making, while staying closely aligned to members’ needs and the fund’s Queensland-focused ethos.
“The objective is to build on the existing strategy, lift performance where we can, and ensure members’ savings are managed in a way that delivers strong returns, reflects their values, and supports investment in Queensland and beyond.”
Mr Webb said in the past 12 years, working at Aware Super, a member-first organisation, his focus had always been on delivering strong outcomes for members “not only in terms of investment returns, but in ensuring our values are reflected in how portfolios are built and managed”.
“That means investing in assets that make sense financially, but also have a positive impact in the communities where our members live and retire.”
Mr Webb said his recent experience in London would provide the fund with a global perspective at a time when markets and geopolitics were increasingly complex and interconnected.
“While Brighter Super has a strong focus on investing in Australia and Queensland, a significant portion of members’ assets are invested offshore, and experience in international markets, governance and portfolio construction is increasingly important.
“Bringing that global lens to asset allocation, risk management and opportunity selection will be critical in navigating what is clearly a challenging and fast-changing world.”
Mr Webb’s appointment follows previous CIO Mark Rider’s departure in December after he decided to step back from full-time work. Interim Chief Investment Officer David O’Donnell will become Deputy Chief Investment Officer once Mr Webb commences.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.
You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any decision to acquire any products. A TMD is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at www.brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides.
This article provides general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your own objectives, financial situation and needs prior to making any decision. You should consult a licensed financial adviser if you require advice which does take into account your personal financial circumstances.
