Introducing our new CEO
ESSSuper - 29 Jul 2022
We're delighted to welcome Ms Robbie Campo as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Robbie is a highly respected executive with more than two decades' experience in profit-to-member superannuation. She brings a wealth of expertise in strategy, innovation, member engagement, communication, advocacy, risk management and large transformation programs.
We sat down with Robbie to learn more about who she is. Here's what she had to say.
What motivated you to join ESSSuper?
I've worked in the profit-to-member superannuation sector for over two decades and am passionate about the fundamental purpose of superannuation; to maximise the retirement outcomes of Australians and ensure that the hard-earned contributions made throughout their working lives create financial security for them in their post-working years.
ESSSuper had an additional appeal given it supports better retirement outcomes for incredibly important workers in the Victorian public and emergency services sectors. Our members have made personal sacrifices to educate our children and protect our safety, health and wellbeing through natural disasters and COVID-19. While the past few years have taxed us all, the pandemic has certainly brought into sharp focus the extraordinary role played by the members of ESSSuper in their service to the people of Victoria. I feel excited and honoured to lead the ESSSuper team in helping them achieve the very best retirement outcomes for our members.
I also have huge respect for the heritage of this fund and the strong relationships built with key stakeholders over time. The incredible expertise and ongoing support provided by government, employers, unions, associations and others are invaluable, and I look forward to working with this important community to better understand and meet the needs of our members.
I have, in the course of my time working in this industry, met many people who were past or present employees of ESSSuper, and from that I knew it was a fund with an exceptionally strong member-focused purpose and culture, something which has certainly been on show in my first few weeks as CEO. This lines up with what has been important to me in my working life.
And, as an added extra, more members of my family belong to ESSSuper than to any other super fund – some retired and some counting down the years until retirement.
What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for this organisation?
ESSSuper has been looking after members' retirement savings for nearly 100 years and has earned incredible levels of trust. In Investment Trends Super Member Engagement surveys, we've been a top-rated fund for member satisfaction for the past decade.
The recent technology upgrade has resulted in service disruptions and extended wait times for members. We understand this situation has been challenging, and I want to acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience caused. I can assure you that the ESSSuper team is focused on resolving all the outstanding issues causing service disruptions in order to retain our typically high levels of member trust and satisfaction.
We've made significant progress over the last few months in getting through the backlog of member enquiries and embedding the new systems. As someone new to ESSSuper, I've been struck by how hard staff are working to support members at this time, and by how deeply they care. Getting through this work is an absolute priority for us.
The technology upgrade also represents a huge opportunity. Recognising that our systems needed modernising to be fit for purpose into the future, we've engaged a specialist superannuation technology provider. This will allow ESSSuper to deliver better member experiences, including through digital channels. Members will have greater visibility of their accounts, access to a wider range of tools with which to manage their super and a lot more flexibility when it comes to engaging and transacting with ESSSuper – be it making extra contributions, understanding whether you're on track for the kind of retirement you want to have, or just updating your details with us. We're working to ensure that many of our transactions occur on a "straight-through processing" basis, making them faster and easier for you.
What do you want ESSSuper to be known for?
I want ESSSuper to continue to be known as a high-performing super fund that is unparalleled in delivering for its members, and a strong partner to the Victorian Government and the employers, unions and associations which form part of the ESSSuper community. I want ESSSuper's members to approach and enter retirement feeling as confident and secure as possible.
Where have you worked prior to coming to ESSSuper?
For the five years prior to joining ESSSuper, I was Group Executive for Brand, Engagement, Advocacy and Product at Cbus SuperFund and was responsible for driving the retirement strategy, brand, product, member engagement and advocacy areas. I was involved in the oversight of many significant transformation projects. A key achievement during this time was successfully advocating for Cbus to be able to continue to offer default insurance to younger members when reforms were made by the Government to stop funds from offering this cover more generally. This was because Cbus' members typically work in hazardous environments and commence their working lives and families at a younger age. For them, as for ESSSuper's members, insurance is a critical component of superannuation and provides cover that protects them and their families in the event of a member having to retire early, or tragically when a member's work costs them their life.
Before Cbus, I worked at Industry Super Australia as Deputy Chief Executive and represented the interests of the members of some of Australia's largest super funds in Canberra, advocating for strong system settings to ensure our retirement income system delivers the best outcomes for Australian workers.
Prior to working in the superannuation industry, I worked at the ACTU and Textile Clothing and Footwear Union.
I've also had significant experience as a non-executive director in the financial services, not-for-profit and government sectors.
I have a law degree (with honours), a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. I also have a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.
Please tell us about yourself outside of work
I'm very interested in music and have a fairly large record collection. This includes an original print of the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers complete with zipper. It's very hard to narrow it down, but the best concerts I have been to would be Prince, Beastie Boys, the XX, Nirvana, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco and ACDC. So pretty varied.
My other interests include reading, gardening (vegetables in the backyard and natives in the front), cooking and bush walking – although I don't get out into nature as much as I'd like. I also do yoga a few times a week.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our members?
I'd like to thank our members for everything they do to educate our children, protect our well-being and keep our communities safe. I feel genuinely humbled and proud to serve you and I'm committed to ensuring that ESSSuper continues to put your interests first in everything we do.