News & Events: News

Pillar is very proud to once again sponsor the Mothers Day Classic event in Canberra, to be held along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin on Sunday, 8^th May.

Mothers Day Classic is organised by Women In Super, a national network of women in the superannuation and finance industries. This event is now a fixture on the Australian fundraising calendar and has raised over $7.8 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation since 1998. 

Celebrate Mothers Day by walking or running with your family and friends! Click here to register.

Pillar is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Blair as its new General Manager, Marketing & Business Development.

Mark has approximately 20 years financial services experience in leading, developing and implementing strategic business initiatives.

Mark was born in England and completed his education at Nottingham University before qualifying as an actuary. He moved to Australia in 1992 to take up a position with Watson Wyatt and later, Towers Perrin. In his most recent position as Director, Russell Investments, Mark was responsible for strategic business initiatives as well as Australasian sales and management of Russell Investments in New Zealand.

Pillar CEO Peter Beck said, “We are pleased to welcome Mark to Pillar as our new General Manager, Marketing & Business Development. Pillar is going through a period of transformation and we look forward to Mark joining the Executive Team to lead our business development growth initiatives which will help secure our future.”

Pillar is pleased to welcome Gary Cox as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Gary has over 20 years financial services experience in developing and leading teams to achieve performance objectives, and has led major organisational, cultural and structural change programs in companies including SunGard, BT Financial Group and Russell Investments.

Gary’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New England and an Executive MBA from the AGSM at the University of New South Wales.

We welcome Gary to Pillar and we wish him every success in his new role.

Pillar has been a long time supporter of the Conference of Major Superannuation Funds, having sponsored the Pillar After Party continuously since 2002.

The conference was held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre this year, with the Pillar After Party taking place after the official conference dinner.  As in past years, the Pillar After Party was well attended by conference delegates who took the opportunity to socialise and network over a few after dinner drinks in an informal setting.

Click here to see a slideshow of photos from the Pillar After Party.

Pillar is pleased to announce the appointment of Gerard Giesekam to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

Gerard comes to Pillar with over 18 years superannuation and commercial experience.  Gerard started his corporate career with Ernst & Young, eventually becoming Chief Financial Officer of Australian Administration Services (AAS).

Most recently, Gerard has been providing consulting services to Link Market Services businesses, specifically on corporate integrations/acquisitions as well as managing the reconciliation process for AAS’ migration program.

We welcome Gerard to Pillar and we wish him every success in his new role.

Pillar today marked the opening of their new premises in Coniston NSW with an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony and a dance performance by the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Group in front of guests, clients and local media.

“Allowrie” was chosen as the name for Pillar’s new building to reflect the cultural significance associated with the indigenous owners of the land, the Allowrie People.

The opening of the new building in Coniston brings together all Illawarra-based Pillar staff to one location following the purchase and refurbishment of an adjoining Sydney Water Board property.

Click here to read the media releases, TV news report and photos of the opening ceremony.

The Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards are one of the most recognised celebrations of business success and endeavour in the Illawarra and we are pleased to announce that Pillar has been selected as one of six Finalists in the Professional and Commercial Category. The judging of these awards is a two-step process consisting of a written submission and a face-to-face interview with a judging panel.

While Pillar did not win this prestigious award, our place on the finals list confirms our position as a leading business organisation in the Illawarra region.

Pillar Administration was announced a winner in the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Risk Management Award.

Pillar’s entry in the Enterprise Risk Management category covered the reinvigoration of risk management that has occurred in Pillar in recent years, starting with the review of our risk management policy and procedures, organisation-wide workshops to identify risks, and the selection and implementation of an on-line risk management system, GuardianERM.net.

In awarding Pillar the prize, the judges said, “Pillar shows a high level of commitment to the risk management process and its continuous improvement. Risk management is now part of job requirements and performance review and there is a very positive approach to communication risks amongst all senior managers.”

Pictured at left is Pillar’s Risk Management & Quality Manager, Daniella Bozinovska and Company Secretary, Jane Byrne receiving the winner’s trophy at the awards ceremony.

Superannuation Fund Administrators today announce the Formation of a Superannuation Exchange Affiliation (SEA)

Australia’s largest superannuation administrators, AAS, Pillar Administration and Superpartners have come together as members of the Affiliation. The SEA will provide a leading voice on the key factors, opportunities, issues and challenges impacting administration.

Click here to read the full media release issued jointly by AAS, Pillar and Superpartners.

Virgin Money has selected Sydney as its new Australian banking headquarters and Wollongong as the base for its superannuation business. Virgin Money’s base in Wollongong will be at Pillar through our role as administrator of Virgin Money’s superannuation products.

Click here to read the press release issued by NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally about this important appointment for Pillar.

Pillar is delighted to announce that CEO Peter Beck has been appointed to the Board of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). Peter joins the Board as a representative for service providers in the superannuation industry.

Commenting on Peter’s appointment, ASFA CEO Pauline Vamos said “Peter’s extensive experience in the superannuation industry and financial services generally, and his deep knowledge of superannuation administration, will be a great asset to the Board and benefit the ASFA community.”

Click here to read the media release issued by ASFA announcing Peter’s appointment.

Pillar announced today that it will be offering a single-issue advice software tool, enabling our super fund clients to meet the advice needs of their members.

Australian financial technology service provider decimal will supply the software solution which will allow super fund members to seek single-issue advice via their fund’s website.

Click here to read the media release issued by decimal.

Pillar was once again the sponsor of the popular Pillar After Party at the Conference of Major Super Funds held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This event took place after the Conference Dinner and allowed conference delegates to relax and network in an informal setting.

Click here to see Pillar’s drink coaster invitation

Australia’s largest superannuation administrators, AAS, Pillar Administration and Superpartners have come together to make it quicker, easier and more economical for members to transfer money between super funds.

In a landmark arrangement, the three administrators have agreed on a set of principles and protocols covering data and money flow for rollovers.

Click here to read the full media release issued jointly by AAS, Pillar and Superpartners.