Ian Silk was the Chief Executive of AustralianSuper from 2006 to 2021, leading a truly member-focussed organisation to become the largest and most successful superannuation fund in the country.
He led a team that created a Fund that sought to be different from its peers, and leveraged those differences to generate successful outcomes for its key stakeholders, notably its members.
Under Ian’s leadership the Fund was a leader in investment performance, doubled its membership, increased members’ assets twelve-fold, and won multiple awards (including Most Trusted Super Fund for over a decade). The Fund’s key strategic focus was to forge new approaches in: improving investment performance, generating member growth, and building a genuinely member-centric organisation.
Previously Ian had worked in other financial services businesses, and in Government as both a senior public servant, and Ministerial Adviser.
On leaving full-time executive life at AustralianSuper Ian accepted the challenging assignment to become the Chair of Crown Melbourne and lead the rehabilitation of that organisation following the searing Royal Commission report into the business. Two years on from that appointment Crown Melbourne regained its licence and is working towards being the model integrated resort business in the world.
Ian is also an adviser to the Fiji Government, and is a Director of the Hawthorn Football Club, having previously served as a Director of Basketball Australia.
Talking Points
Finding your difference, and making it count.
In an increasingly competitive and crowded world, paradoxically organisations often seek success by just mimicking the success of others. But to be successful, to be better than others, the better approach is to find what can set your organisation apart, and leverage those differences to help you grow and succeed. If those differences include a values-based mission(purpose), your team will go the extra mile.Finding your difference, and making it count.
Key Takeaways:
- Themes around identifying ‘your difference’.
- Case studies from different industries about identifying and then leveraging differences, for success.
- Benefits of having a values-based Purpose.
