CEO Update – March 2026

By Kate Farrar, Chief Executive Officer, Brighter Super

17 March 2026

Our thoughts are with all members and their families affected by the current floods in Queensland.

We know this has been a difficult time for many communities, and we’re thinking of everyone impacted and hoping that you remain safe and well.

Putting members first

At Brighter Super, our focus remains on supporting you to feel confident about your super.

Over the past year, we’ve continued to lower our fees, manage investments through volatile global markets and deliver solid long-term outcomes. This has helped members stay on track with their long-term goals, even when markets are uncertain, while we stay focused on what matters most to our members.

As a 100% member-owned fund, members come first in everything we do. While our growth over recent years has strengthened our capability and scale, our focus remains personal. We’re aiming to make it easier for you to access personal guidance and support you need, when you need it, to achieve better outcomes.

In this update, I’ll cover the fund’s performance and administration fee reductions over the past year, developments within our investment team, and how we’re investing thoughtfully for the long term.

Members benefit from millions in fee reductions

Keeping fees as low as possible is one of the most effective ways we can support members’ retirement savings.

In January 2025, we lowered administration fees for the third year in a row. Alongside lower administration fees, Brighter Super reduced the annual cap for percentage-based administration fees from $900 to $650¹.

We also introduced Partner Linking, which allows eligible members to save on fees through a combined administration fee cap. Together, these changes have delivered real savings. For many members, this can mean more of your money stays invested in your super rather than being paid in fees.

In 2025, Brighter Super charged $9.5 million less in total administration fees than the year before². We achieved this while continuing to improve services for members. These savings reflect a clear focus on operating efficiency, supported by increased scale, enabling Brighter Super to lower administration fees, while continuing to invest in better services for members.

The reduction in percentage-based administration fees was achieved while Brighter Super’s funds under management grew from $34 billion to $37 billion in the 12 months to 31 December 2025, supported by investment performance and member growth.

Lower fees and strong long-term investment performance work together to support better retirement outcomes.

Find out more: working hard to keep our fees low

Positive returns despite recent volatility

Brighter Super’s diversified investment options’ returns remain positive for the financial year, despite the latest volatility stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.

In SuperRatings’ latest survey of performance across super funds³, both our Growth and Conservative Balanced options were ranked #1 in their index for 7 years to 31 January 2026, for Accumulation and Pension accounts.

We continue to see the benefits of the investment capabilities we’ve built over recent years. Greater scale has strengthened our ability to diversify, manage risk and access a broader range of investment opportunities on behalf of members.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating increased volatility across Australian and global markets. When markets become volatile, we encourage you to avoid rushed short-term decisions, stay invested and focus on your long-term goals.  

You can read more about this in our recent article, keep calm and stay invested.

For our latest performance and commentary on global markets, read our monthly investment update.

Welcoming our new Chief Investment Officer

I’m very pleased to be welcoming Damien Webb as Brighter Super’s new Chief Investment Officer.

Damien brings more than 30 years of investment experience across Australian and global markets and a wide range of asset classes and market conditions. Most recently, he was Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Head of International at Aware Super.

Damien will join Brighter Super in April and will be responsible for overseeing our $37 billion in funds under management. His experience in building and managing diversified, multi-asset portfolios, including direct investments, will be a valuable addition as we continue to mature as a fund.  I’m confident his leadership will build on our strong investment foundations and support the delivery of sustainable, long-term outcomes for members.

Damien’s appointment follows the retirement of Mark Rider at the end of 2025. David O’Donnell has led the Investments team since Mark’s retirement and will become Deputy Chief Investment Officer when Damien commences. I’d like to thank David for ensuring such a smooth transition during this period.

Strong governance and continuity are critical in investment management, and they help ensure your retirement savings continue to be managed with care and discipline.

Read more about this announcement

Investing in Queensland’s future

Supporting Queensland’s economy remains an important part of our investment approach, alongside delivering strong long-term returns for members.

Through our Queensland Investment Strategy, we continue to invest in assets and businesses that contribute to the state’s long-term growth and resilience.

In January 2026, we announced an investment in Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies through our $50 million Venture Capital Mandate with Queensland Investment Corporation. Founded on the Gold Coast and now headquartered in Yatala, the company operates across orbital launch and satellite manufacturing and owns Australia’s first licensed orbital spaceport in Bowen.

While space technology may sound ambitious, our approach remains grounded. We invest with a clear focus on long-term value, risk management and alignment with members’ interests.

This investment sits alongside others across advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, industrial technology and infrastructure – sectors where Queensland has genuine strengths.

Find out more: Investing in Queensland

Retirement planning early makes a difference

In December 2025, we released the Brighter Super and Investment Trends 2025 Retirement Income Report⁴, which explores how Australians prepare for retirement and what drives confidence later in life.

The research shows a clear link between planning early and feeling comfortable in retirement.

Now in its second year, the report draws on insights from more than 3,600 Australians nearing or in retirement and helps inform how we continue to support members with clear advice and practical guidance.

The survey shows that pre-retirees who plan earlier tend to save more, use advice and take action sooner. This leads to stronger financial readiness than for those who feel unprepared.

The research found that 75% of retirees who started preparing before age 40, report living comfortably, compared to 44% who began after 60, and just 16% who did not plan at all.

The survey indicates that preparedness takes time. Pre-retirees who feel prepared typically began planning 6.6 years ago and hold an average super balance of $438,000, compared to $177,000 for those that feel unprepared and who began planning only 3.8 years ago.

You can read more about this in our recent article:
Australians who plan early are nearly twice as comfortable in retirement

Recognised for advice and education

Helping members feel informed and confident about their super and retirement remains a priority for Brighter Super. It’s pleasing to see this work recognised across the industry.

Recently, Brighter Super received four awards at the Industry Fund Services Advice Excellence Awards, including Financial Advice Team of the Year. Several members of our advice team were also recognised across adviser and paraplanner categories.

In addition to winning the Epic Retirement Tick in late 2025, we have also received national recognition for our broader focus on retirement confidence, education and service.

At the 2026 Money magazine Best of the Best Awards, Brighter Super received awards for Innovation in Member Education, Best Balanced Pension, Best Cash Pension and Best Cash Super product.

At the Super Review Awards, we were winner of the Member Education 2026 award, for the second year running.

Industry recognition through these awards provides reassurance that members are receiving high-quality advice, education and practical support that is making a difference.

Find out more about our awards

Gender pay gap improvement

With International Women’s Day this month, it’s timely to reflect on the progress still needed and the responsibility we all share in advancing gender equality.

At Brighter Super, our commitment to equality isn’t just about supporting women to build confidence in their retirement. It’s also about ensuring fairness within our own organisation.

We’re proud to be part of a small group of superannuation funds with one of the lowest gender pay gaps in financial services – well below the industry average.

The latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) data shows the financial services sector gender pay gap has improved to 21.4%⁵. In 2024/25, Brighter Super reduced our gender pay gap from 16.0% to 10.5% – a significant 5.5 percentage point improvement, bringing us below the national average and positioning us among a small group of funds achieving this result.

Looking ahead

As we move through 2026, our focus remains on strong long-term investment performance, working hard to keep our fees low, and support that helps members make confident decisions about the future.

This approach reflects our long history of supporting members before and through retirement. My team and I remain committed to delivering on this throughout the year ahead.