The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, the Crown entity that manages the NZ$70 billion NZ Super Fund, has appointed Jo Townsend as its chief executive officer.

Townsend is a highly-experienced CEO with a 30-year career in the Australian investment sector. Between 2015 and 2023, she was the CEO of Funds SA – an A$40 billion (US$26.16 billion) institutional investor of public sector funds – where she oversaw a significant growth in the organization’s capabilities.

Prior to 2015, she held various roles at REST Industry Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, including as general manager, investments and acting chief operating officer. Earlier in her career she held investment roles at NGS Super, Retirement Benefits Fund, Value Capital Management and Rothschild Australia Asset Management. 

Guardians chair John Williamson says: “Townsend is a proven people leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams, attracting talent and building strong stakeholder relationships.”