Future Group finalises change of trusteeship

Future Group's Stewarda has taken over the trusteeship for its superannuation fund, Smart Future Trust, from Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL), effective November 1.

Smart Future Trust includes brands Future Super, smartMonday, GuildSuper, Child Care Super and Verve Super.

The governance and oversight of the five funds are now handled by Stewarda, which is part of Future Group. Its mandate as trustee covers governance, risk management and compliance.

This comes after Future Group agreed to acquire Stewarda from WTW in June 2026. The takeover was pending regulatory approval, which have now been achieved.

Stewarda chair Jeremy Cooper said the new trustee will provide strong governance and oversight as the funds continue to serve their members.

"Stewarda is purpose built to deliver long-term outcomes and robust governance in the best financial interests of members in all five of Future Group's superannuation brands," Cooper said.

"Our board brings deep experience across superannuation, financial services, investment management, governance and risk to support this important work.

"Future Group's work to establish Stewarda and internalise the trustee will create a closer connection between fund governance, operations and long-term planning."

Cooper served as deputy chair of ASIC from 2004 to 2009 and subsequently led the government's Super System Review, widely known as the Cooper Review.

The Stewarda board also includes Virginia Malley, Keri Pratt, Shailendra Singh, Lee Brennan and Sharon Davis.

Future Group chief executive Simon Sheikh said the appointment of the new trustee represents an important step in the growth and governance journey of the group.

"Bringing the trustee function into Future Group supports an integrated governance model aimed at continuing to deliver the best possible outcomes for all our members across the five Future Group superannuation brands," Sheikh said.

"Stewarda's experienced and majority independent board will provide dedicated oversight of Smart Future Trust, while remaining focused on delivering long-term outcomes for members."