Impact Investing Australia chair to join Future Fund

Richard Brandweiner has been named chief investment officer of the nation's sovereign wealth fund.

Brandweiner will join Future Fund in July to lead its investment function, replacing Ben Samild.

He brings over 20 years' experience in investing to the role, having most recently served as chief executive of Pendal Group prior to its acquisition by Perpetual. He was also the chief investment officer of First State Super.

Brandweiner is the chair of Impact Investing Australia, a role he's held since 2021. He's also a foundation member of its board.

Impact Investing Australia confirmed he will continue in the position.

"As chair of IIA, Richard has led the board and overseen a strategy that has seen the organisation make a substantial contribution to the development of an impact capital market in Australia," chief executive David Hetherington said.

"Across his tenure, IIA has produced critical market sizing research through our Benchmarking Impact work, managed the Social Enterprise Development Initiative grants, run the Endowments for Impact Challenge and most recently, been recognised as the 2026 Impact Market Builder of the Year.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Richard to further deepen Australia's impact investing market."

He is a member of the NSW Government Social Impact Investment Advisory Group, and sits on the investment committee of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation.

He was also on the board of Australian Ethical Investments but stepped down upon accepting the Future Fund gig.

"Richard has brought deep investment insight and a strong commitment to responsible and impact-led investing, and we thank him for his valuable contribution and service to Australian Ethical. We congratulate him on this exciting role at the Future Fund and wish him all the best for the future," AEI chair Steve Gibbs said.