Leadership team

The Plum Leadership Team (PLT) sets Plum's strategic direction and creates market-leading superannuation solutions for Australian organisations and their employees.

Plum leadership team

		Scott Hartley – Managing Director Scott has extensive experience in the corporate and institutional market. Prior to his appointment as Plum Managing Director in March 2009, Scott was General Manager of Strategy and Marketing for MLC from 2005. Prior to 2005 Scott was General Manager of Institutional Business, within MLC’s Corporate Solutions business, responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of MLC's wholesale investment and advisory businesses, including MLC Implemented Consulting and JANA Investment Advisers. He has also been a Director on the JANA Board since 2003. In 2003 Scott managed MLC's acquisition and integration of Plum Financial Services, leading a successful change management program. In addition to his role as Plum Managing Director, Scott is also responsible for MLC & NAB Wealth's corporate and institutional client relationships through industry leading businesses JANA Investment Advisers and MasterKey Business Super.

		Jason Sommer - General Manager, Change & Technical Services Jason is an experienced actuary with 15 years experience in the corporate superannuation industry. During this time Jason has focussed on the provision of superannuation consulting advice, investment management advice, actuarial advice and relationship management. As General Manager, Change and Technical Services, Jason is responsible for the delivery of change (projects), pricing and technical services at Plum. Jason joined Plum in 2002 and since has held various roles. He most recently held the role of Head of Member and Client Relationships in which he was responsible for the relationships and service provided to Plum’s members and corporate clients. He is also a member of the Plum Trustee’s Investment Committee. Jason has a Bachelor of Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

		Dave Woodall – General Manager, Client & Member Services Dave has extensive experience in corporate superannuation, having worked in a range of client consulting, management, marketing and sales roles. As General Manager, Client & Member Services, he is responsible for client relationship management, new client acquisition, corporate and member communications; including marketing and campaign activities, on-line strategy and member services, and the development and implementation of Plum's education and advice offering. Dave has a Degree in Economics, a Diploma of Financial Planning and post graduate qualifications in Finance and Investments.

		Frank Merzel – Chief Operating Officer Frank's 20 years experience in the superannuation industry spans asset consulting, administration, operations management and relationship management. Frank joined Plum in 2000 as a Transition Manager and moved to Relationship Management in 2001 before moving to the senior position of Regional Manager, Member and Client Services. Since 2006 he has been responsible for managing Plum's operations function, which includes client conversions, administration and contact centre support. In December 2009 he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer responsible for Operations, Product and Strategy and Investments.

		Tony Stewart – Head of Product & Strategy Tony has over 15 years experience in the financial services industry. He has held senior roles in business strategy, product management, distribution and funds management within organisations such as AXA and MLC. As Head of Product and Strategy, he is responsible for product management, investments and business strategy. Tony has a Degree in Business (Marketing), a Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment and a Diploma of Financial Planning.

		Gabriella de Nadai – Head of Technology Gabriella has more than 25 years experience in information technology. During this time, Gabriella has worked in IT roles for a variety of organisations, including not-for-profit organisation Freedom from Hunger, Australian Eagle Insurance and Oracle Corporation. Gabriella joined Plum in 2007 and was appointed to the role of Head of Technology in December 2008. In this role Gabriella and her team are responsible for setting up the Plum business to be successful through the use of technology. Gabriella is a strong believer in continuous improvement and cultural change. Although she has predominantly worked in IT, Gabriella also has valuable experience in process analysis, having spent several years with a process re-engineering organisation consulting to clients such as Coles, Department of Defence and ANZ.

		Geoff Short – General Counsel and Company Secretary Geoff's extensive involvement in the financial services industry spans over 12 years. At Plum, Geoff is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the business and the Plum and Trustee Boards. In previous roles, Geoff has headed Clayton Utz's Melbourne Superannuation Practice and led KPMG's Melbourne Superannuation Services division. Geoff has advised and acted for trustees, employers, responsible entities, fund members and public offer funds on superannuation and managed investments issues.

		David McCallum - Head of Risk and Compliance David has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has held numerous roles at the NAB, Thomas Cook and Travelex Financial Services. Before coming to Plum, David was working as an Internal Auditor for Travelex’s Asia pacific region. Since joining Plum in 2006 as a Risk Manager, David has been involved in identifying and assessing risks to the business and the development and implementation of appropriate treatment strategies to manage those risks. David was appointed Senior Risk Manager for Plum in 2007 and Head of Risk and Compliance in 2008. In this current role he is responsible for managing Plum’s five-member Risk and Compliance department, ensuring the ongoing maintenance of the Risk Management Framework at Plum. David has recently completed both a Masters of Risk Management and a Masters of Business Law.

		Kay Fox - Customer Service Manager Kay has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry specialising in traditional financial management products, such as superannuation, managed funds as well as online investment products. Kay has managed a variety of teams within Wealth Management, mainly operational, and has experience in managing large projects. Kay has been with the NAB Group for 19 years and with Plum for over 5 years in the Operations Team as Customer Service Manager.

		David Renton – Regional Manager, Client & Member Services, Southern Region David joined Plum in 2006 as a Relationship Manager in Plum’s Melbourne office. In late 2008 David was promoted to Regional Manager (Southern Region), responsible for members and employers in Victoria, WA, SA and Tasmania. David has over 20 years superannuation experience, and enjoys the challenge of ensuring that the member and employer Plum experience exceeds their expectations. Prior to joining Plum, David held client servicing, consulting and administrative roles with ANZ, Mellon, Alcoa of Australia and Melbourne Water.

		David Lugsdin – Regional Manager, Client & Member Services, Northern Region David has 20 years experience in the corporate superannuation industry. During this time David has focussed on the provision of consulting and investment advice and relationship management advice to medium and large corporate clients. David is responsible for the relationships and service provided to members and corporate clients for all of Plum’s NSW and QLD clients. David joined Plum in 2001 as a Relationship Manager in Plum's Sydney office. He has held the role of Regional Manager of Member and Client Services for the last 15 months. Prior to joining Plum, David held administration and consulting roles primarily with AMP. David has a Bachelor of Mathematics Degree.