Nambawan Super Limited has appointed leading Australian superannuation expert Paul Sayer as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made today by Nambawan’s board chairman Anthony Smaré at Nambawan Super Plaza.

Mr Smaré said the Board conducted an extensive international search and Mr Sayer was selected as the best-placed person to lead the K6 billion fund into the next phase of its development.

“As recognised by our members and stakeholders, Nambawan Super has undergone a period of transformation over the last four years. We have ambitious plans for where we think the fund should further develop and grow, in terms of redefining the services it can provide to its members and their families and contributing to the development of PNG. An important factor to achieving the fund’s aspirations for the next four years is obviously the skills, expertise and leadership ability of the person who fills the role of the CEO. We are delighted to appoint Paul Sayer, someone who has outstanding experience across all areas of superannuation, who is deeply committed to innovation and who we believe will help us achieve the Fund’s strategic targets.

“Paul has a strong background in superannuation and has demonstrated an engaging, empowering and customer centric leadership style, which we believe is important for continuing Nambawan’s very high standing with members and employers, service providers and other stakeholders. Most importantly, Paul demonstrates a passion for supporting the members who trust the Fund to secure a dignified retirement.

Mr Sayer has been a Senior Executive in some leading Australian Super Funds having previously been the CEO of TWUSUPER and Chief Operating Officer of REST Industry Super. In these roles he was instrumental in the design and implementation of a customer centric model for servicing the membership and for the development of innovative products and services for 2 million members, which resulted in significant recognition for his fund. During Paul’s time at REST Industry Super, it was repeatedly awarded as Australia’s best superfund in a number of different areas and for a number of different products”

Mr Sayer said he was grateful for the opportunity to be part of improving the retirement outcomes for the Nambawan Super members and also playing a role for the wider community and country through the Fund’s Investment.

“Nambawan is an exceptional organisation that I am proud to lead and I will continue to drive it to be not only the Number 1 Fund in PNG but well recognised across Asia Pacific for the delivery of products and services” he said.

“I am look forward to working with the passionate and committed team of Nambawan Super to continue to deliver strong positive outcomes for our members.”

Nambawan’s former CEO Gary Tunstall left the fund at the end of December Nambawan Super Chief Financial Officer Vere Arava MBE has been acting Chief Executive Officer, while the Fund searched for a CEO.