Statement attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:

Ian Silk has been the Chief Executive of AustralianSuper since its formation in 2006, prior to which he was the Chief Executive of AustralianSuper’s predecessor fund, the Australian Retirement Fund.

Mr Silk has guided AustralianSuper from $21 billion in funds under management for more than 1.2 million members to the single largest Australian retirement fund with more than $225 billion under management for more than 2.4 million members.

Under Mr Silk’s leadership AustralianSuper has been one of the most successful and well governed superannuation funds, with exemplary performance, outstanding investment practices and governance. It is one of the most important financial institutions in Australia and critical to the retirement outcome of millions of Australian workers.

Mr Silk’s commitment to industry super funds, the industry super model and the collective interests of working people in this country has ensured that industry super funds have worked together to achieve better retirement outcomes which ensure that members retire well.

The ACTU welcomes the appointment of Paul Schroder to the board of AustralianSuper and looks forward to working with him in this new role.

The Australian union movement thanks Mr Silk for his service to working people and wishes him all the best for his future endeavours.