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Sam Riley
General Manager - Media Relations
Phone: +61 3 8660 1684
Email: mediarelations@hesta.com.au
HESTA is the acronym for Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia so it should always appear in capitals.
In 1987, HESTA was formed for people working in health and community services, to accommodate the 3% superannuation payment that employees were receiving for the first time.
As a regulated public offer super fund, HESTA is open to anyone eligible for super to join and is run only to benefit members.
We have regularly received recognition for our achievements in the form of rankings, ratings and awards.
Debby Blakey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Debby has been CEO of HESTA since February 2015, after joining the Fund in 2008 as an Executive leading the Member Advice Unit and assuming the role of Deputy CEO in 2012.
A proven leader with more than 25 years' experience in super and financial services, Debby has a wealth of experience having held a range of senior positions within a number of financial institutions.
Debby leads an active and hands-on team of Executives who are focused on helping members enjoy a retirement they've worked hard for.
Debby is also a leader in the wider spheres of super and financial services. She is a Director of Fund Executives Association Limited (FEAL), an organisation dedicated to supporting the professional development of leaders in the super industry, Industry Super Australia Ltd (ISA) and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI).
To request an image email HESTA Media Relations at mediarelations@hesta.com.au
For information about HESTA our annual report is a great place to start.
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We're proud supporters of the individuals and organisations in health and community services. But, we’re also trusted custodians of our members’ money and we pride ourselves on our wise financial and investment decisions. Sponsorship requests undergo rigorous vetting by our partnerships team.
To ensure your request is considered, kindly complete all details in this online form and we’ll be in touch soon.
HESTA aims to be the gutsy advocate driving meaningful change for generations to come.
We are actively involved in public policy debates that affect our members and women more broadly.
An example of our work is the Vital Signs Report that took a pulse check of the state of equality for women in Australia and outlines HESTA’s continuing efforts to make a positive impact through advocacy, investment, and our conduct as an organisation.
We engage directly with decision makers and also contribute to policy debates through our membership of Industry Super Australia, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.
HESTA policy submissions are available below. For any policy-related questions please contact James Bennett on (03) 8665 9217 or jbennett@hesta.com.au
HESTA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper and to work with the Government to develop a clear pathway for a cleaner future.
Australia has a sophisticated retirement system; however, its design rewards those with unbroken careers.
HESTA supports the standardised definitions of key insurance terms; however, having standardised terms should not necessarily imply standardised cover or eligibility for insurance cover.
HESTA welcomes the opportunity to comment on the 'Superannuation binding death benefit nominations and kinship structures' consultation paper released by Treasury.
The proposed changes will significantly amend the ‘value’ that insurance offerings can provide to superannuation members.
Early access to superannuation before retirement should only occur in limited circumstances.
HESTA is generally supportive of the requirements of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Continuing Professional Development Standard) Determination 2018 (‘the CPD instrument’); however, we do have substantial concerns around implementation.
HESTA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) consultation paper on the Family Law System released in October 2018.
We maintain our concern on the premise of the enquiry which argues a direct correlation between what is regarded as a lack of efficiency and increased competition.
HESTA welcomes reform to the superannuation system that truly promotes a member’s best interest and community wellbeing.
HESTA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper and to work with the Government to develop a clear pathway for a cleaner future.
Australia has a sophisticated retirement system, but its design rewards those with unbroken careers.
media releases
15 June 2021
HESTA congratulates former HESTA Chair and current Impact Committee member Angela Emslie for her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and for her significant service to the finance and superannuation sectors and to suicide prevention.
Read the full article15 June 2021
More women are working for listed and unlisted fund managers than ever before, but the historically male-dominated industry still has much work to do to improve gender diversity, the latest HESTA research reveals.
Read the full article27 May 2021
ANZ and BHP are among the first 10 ‘trail blazer’ companies to sign up for the investor-led 40:40 Vision initiative and commit to achieving gender balance in the ranks of their senior leadership within the decade. Other companies making up the first 10 signatories include BlueScope, Domino’s, IGO, Ramsay Health Care, SkyCity, South32, Tabcorp and Webjet.
Read the full article17 May 2021
New HESTA aged care workforce research reveals we risk missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the skilled workforce needed to meet future demand if there is not an adequate national effort to improve wages and conditions in the sector.
Read the full article12 May 2021
HESTA welcomed the announcement that the Government would scrap the $450 super threshold but said there were disappointingly few budget measures targeted at improving women’s financial security in retirement.
Read the full article07 May 2021
Winners of the 2021 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards were announced last night in a national celebration of the critical contributions of Australia’s nurses and midwives.
Read the full article28 April 2021
HESTA has announced the latest addition to the leadership of its investment team, with the appointment of Stephen Howard as General Manager, Defensives.
Read the full article06 April 2021
The extraordinary work of nurses and midwives to protect their communities during COVID was today recognised with nine finalists announced for the 2021 HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
Read the full article23 March 2021
International investors involved in engagement with Rio Tinto on how it will address failings that led to heritage destruction at Juukan Gorge have welcomed the company’s announcement today on new disclosure and governance oversight measures aimed at rebuilding trust with Traditional Owners.
Read the full article16 March 2021
If ASX companies want to increase their long-term market value they need to act now and increase the number of women in CEO and executive leadership positions. This was one of the many views expressed during a panel discussion at a virtual event today for the 40:40 Vision initiative launched last year by industry super fund HESTA with industry partners Chief Executive Women, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), 30% Club and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
Read the full article08 March 2021
HESTA is today calling for nominations of dedicated professionals working in disability, allied health, aged care and community services in Australia for the 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards.
Read the full article25 February 2021
The winners of the first-ever HESTA Impact Awards were last night announced as part of a national celebration of health and community services professionals working to protect the future of our people and planet.
Read the full article