As a professional Association we are formally governed through our Constitution, Board and Executive Team
SMSF Association Constitution and corporate governance statement
The SMSF Association Ltd is governed formally through the SMSF Association Constitution. We follow the AICD Not-For-Profit Governance Principles promoting good governance for Not-for-Profit Organisations.
SMSF Association Annual Reports
SMSF Association Financial Statements
SMSF Association Financial Statements are only available to members.
Our Board
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Chair
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Scott is a partner in Brisbane law firm Cooper Grace Ward.
He and his team specialise in assisting clients and their other advisers including accountants and financial planners with tax and superannuation (particularly SMSFs) advice; estate planning, administration and disputes; family businesses, business structuring; business succession arrangements; asset protection and restructuring. Scott has a particular interest in how these areas intersect with self-managed superannuation funds and the impact of and on these structures.
He is Chair of the SMSF Association and a SMSF Specialist Advisor™ with the SMSF Association, a Chartered Tax Adviser, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate practitioners. Scott chairs the Cooper Grace Ward Diversity and Inclusion Group and its ARCUS sub-group, and is the leader of the firm’s Private Client Commercial group.
Scott been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in Australia in the practice areas of: Superannuation Law, Trusts and Estates, Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice and Commercial Law. He was named the 2016 Brisbane Wealth Management/Succession Planning practice ‘Lawyer of the Year’ and the Superannuation ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for 2019, 2022 and 2024.
Scott has been listed in Doyle’s Guide for Queensland Estate Planning lawyers as a pre-eminent practitioner.
He has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Business (Accy) from the Queensland University of Technology. Scott has also completed the Certificate of Superannuation Management and the Diploma of Superannuation Management run through ASFA and Macquarie University, and the Foundation Diploma of Financial Planning.
Hon. Bernie Ripoll
Director
Hon Bernie Ripoll
Bernie Ripoll is an entrepreneur in business development who plays a leading role in the financial services sector following a long career as a federal member of parliament from 1998 till retiring in 2016.
In Government, Bernie was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer leading the portfolios of Corporations & Financial Services, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and other agencies in the Treasury portfolio.
Bernie serves on the boards of Allianz Australia Life Insurance, the Financial and Energy Exchange, the Self Managed Super Fund Association, FinTech platform Otivo, Bioenergy developer Utilitas Group, and has previously served on not-for-profit boards Inala Primary Care and Crohns and Colitis Australia.
Bernie is passionate about adding value and improving outcomes for the enterprises he represents through his leadership and investment roles. Bernie also maintains a consumer lens on the financial services sector and focus on improving access to affordable housing, disability housing, and health services delivery. Along with regular speaking engagements on the conference circuit, Bernie strongly believes in supporting people and organisations that take risk and create value
Brett Griffiths
Director
Brett Griffiths
Brett specialises in all aspects of superannuation compliance but specifically Self-Managed Superannuation Funds. He utilises his twenty-five years of superannuation experience to develop strategies and structures in order to achieve the best outcome for his clients.
Brett joined Vincents in 2009 as the Manager of Superannuation Consulting and was appointed a Director of the team in 2011.
He has twenty-five years of experience working for some of the largest superannuation consulting firms in Queensland within the superannuation industry. His expertise includes:
- Legislative compliance and advice
- Retirement income streams
- Contribution and gearing strategies
- Estate planning
Brett’s experience includes Self-Managed Superannuation Funds, Retirement Savings Accounts, Public Offer Superannuation Funds, and investment products, as well as an understanding of investment advisory firms. This experience means he is well placed to understand the intricacies of superannuation compliance, and what it takes to help clients to achieve their desired financial outcomes.
Meg Heffron
Director
Meg Heffron
Meg Heffron is a Fellow SMSF Specialist Adviser and has been a member of the Association for over 20 years. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and over her career has advised trustees, members and practitioners in all areas of superannuation, including corporate superannuation funds, industry funds, small APRA funds and now SMSFs.
Meg is a founder and the Managing Director of Heffron Consulting – a firm that has specialised exclusively in SMSFs since 1998.
Her passion is education, and she is a regular speaker at the Association’s National Conference and other professional development events for accountants, financial advisers and other SMSF practitioners.
Meg is a past recipient of both the Association’s Chair Award (2010) and the CEO Award (2020) recognising her long contribution and commitment to the industry.
Michael Houlihan
Vice Chair
Michael Houlihan
Michael’s professional experience includes more than 30 years of senior leadership in superannuation and financial services and has a great passion for the financial services industry. What drives Michael in his business relationships are the deep personalised services which are vital for a continued trusted relationship and this is critical in the financial planning world.
He has held roles including Head of Product and Technical Services at both JBWere Investment Management and Vanguard Investments Australia, Senior Consultant and Administration Manager at Buck Consultants and Senior Administrator at Australian Eagle Insurance.
Michael was also previously the CEO of Mainstream Group subsidiary Mainstream Superannuation Services from 2010. This role also incorporated the role of CEO of Combined Super – an industry fund for independent schools.
Michael is also on the Advisory Board of Evergreen Consultants – a boutique asset consulting business and a Director of Eltham College Foundation.
Michael holds a Diploma of Superannuation Management from Macquarie University and a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland and is a Justice of the Peace
Geoff Rooney
Director
Geoff Rooney
Geoff Rooney is a Sydney based Partner within the Financial Services Audit practice. Geoff provides audit and assurance services to the financial services industry, including wealth management, funds management, superannuation, retail and investment banking, leasing and insurance clients as well as the SMSF sector.
Prior to BDO, Geoff was a Director within EY’s Financial Services advisory and audit practice.
Throughout his career, Geoff has managed multiple large and small assurance audit and assurance engagements as well as provided commercial and technical advice to clients and leads complex control, risk assessments and remediation programs. Geoff has a proven record of interacting with various participants in the SMSF end to end operating model and is passionate about collaborating across the ecosystem to enhance customer experience, improve service delivery and member outcomes.
Geoff has the following qualifications and memberships:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
- B Commerce (Deans Scholars) (Accounting and Finance) with Distinction. Wollongong University
- Degree qualified, RG146 compliant financial planner and ASIC registered SMSF auditor
- Chartered Treasury Risk Management professional (AMCT), Association of Corporate Treasurers, United Kingdom
- Member of the Finance & Treasury Association (Certified Finance & Treasury Professional)
Christine Franks AM
Director
Christine Franks
Chris is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over 20 years governance experience, currently Chair/CEO & Founder of Women In Aid & Development, Director of Gateway Bank, member of Peridot Directors and convenor of the Sydney Chairs Circle.
She has served as a Director and Chair of financial services, personal & health insurance, not-for-profit and government boards. Chris’s executive experience is primarily in marketing, fundraising, consumer research and customer service in both commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
In 2020 Chris was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia, for her significant service to the community through social welfare initiatives.
Lachlan Sue
Director
Lachlan Sue
Lachlan is a Partner of Matrix Norwest, a Sydney-based integrated financial services business with financial planning and taxation & accounting branches.
His professional mission statement is twofold:
- To run a business that makes a daily commitment to excellence and service on behalf of its clients.
- To support and develop a team of exceptional staff who are purpose-driven and unquestionably good people.
Currently serving as both a hands-on Strategic Financial Adviser and the General Manager of Matrix Norwest, Lachlan brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to the SMSF Association Board. He also sits on the Matrix Norwest Investment Committee and is a Responsible Manager & Chairperson of Matrix Intagrated Professional Advice Pty Ltd, an Australian Financial Services Licensee.
Lachlan is passionate about the right for Australians to manage their own superannuation and has a strong technical knowledge of the SMSF industry, whilst also bringing a commercial and pragmatic business-minded approach to the advancement of the industry. Self-managed superannuation has been central to his professional career, with experience in administration, audit and advisory aspects of the field.
Lachlan’s formal education and qualifications include:
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Laws – Macquarie University
- Admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a Lawyer
- Specialist Audit Member – SMSF Association (2020 Top Achiever Award)
- Charted Tax Adviser – The Tax Institute
- ASIC Approved SMSF Auditor
- Registered Tax Agent – Tax Practitioners Board
- Certified HBDI Practitioner – Herrmann
- Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning – KAPLAN
Our Executive Team
Chief Executive Officer
Peter Burgess
Peter Burgess is the Chief Executive Officer of the SMSF Association. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Peter held the position of Deputy CEO / Director of Policy & Education with the Association and is a previous Association Board member.
With over 30 years of industry experience Peter is recognised as an authority in SMSF matters and Government policy design. He is a widely published author and media commentator on SMSFs and is regularly sought for comment on the latest policy and sector developments. Through his contribution to the development of SMSF education standards, his Government advocacy work and his commitment to professionalism and thought leadership, Peter has dedicated much of his career to improving SMSF advice competency standards and the vibrancy and credibility of the SMSF sector.
Peter holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide, an Economics degree and postgraduate qualifications in finance. In 2016, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the SMSF sector, Peter was awarded the SMSF Association’s Chairman’s Award. In June 2021, Peter achieved Fellow Member status with the SMSF Association, recognising his significant commitment, leadership and contribution to both the Association and the SMSF sector.
Peter’s approved media image can be downloaded here.
Joshua Geers
Chief Operating Officer
Lyn Gelligen
Head of Governance / Company Secretary
Tracey Scotchbrook
Head of Policy and Advocacy
Mary Simmons
Head of Technical
Committees
The SMSF Association has a number of Board and Association Committees which support the management and administration of the Association. We appreciate the contribution and assistance of committee members to achieve our objectives.
Board Committees
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee
Michael Houlihan – Chair
Geoff Rooney
Brett Griffiths
Lachlan Sue
Peter Burgess
Joshua Geers
Cassandra De Conno
Public Policy Committee
Meg Heffron – Chair
Hon. Bernie Ripoll
Lachlan Sue
Bryan Ashenden
Robin Bowerman
Peter Burgess
Tracey Scotchbrook
Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee
Christine Franks AM – Chair
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Meg Heffron
Peter Burgess
Meredith Lawley – Chair
Liz Ward
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Peter Burgess
Keddie Waller
Association and Advisory Committees
National Membership Committee
Liam Shorte – Chair
Stephen Blake
Dean Ireland
Con Gotsis
Melanie Dunn
Rod Jones
Wayne Bolin
Marjon Muizer
David Saul – Chair
Fiona Hinrichsen
Nathan Baker
Lisa Papachristoforos
Rebecca Edwards
Tracey Scotchbrook
National Conference Program Committee
Mary Simmons – Chair
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Mark Ellem
Dan Butler
Shirley Schaeffer
Peter Crump
Louise Biti
Fabian Bussoletti
Tarun Malhotra
About Us
The SMSF Association is the independent, professional body representing Australia’s self-managed super fund sector.
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We are actively involved in discussions with key members of Government and Opposition, sector stakeholders, regulators and policy makers.
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