27 May 2026
AustralianSuper today announced Shaun Manuell as its next Chief Investment Officer (CIO).
Manuell has led the Fund’s successful Australian equities team for 13 years, overseeing growth in internally managed equities from A$1 billion to A$100 billion for members.
AustralianSuper Chief Executive, Paul Schroder, said Manuell was the ideal candidate to lead the Fund’s global investment team.
‘Following an extensive global search, I am pleased to announce Shaun as our next Chief Investment Officer.
‘Shaun has proven himself as an outstanding investor at scale over the long term and a great leader. He has a deep commitment to delivering for members who put their trust in us to grow and protect their retirement savings.
‘Having worked closely with the directors of Australia’s largest companies over many years, Shaun is known for his considered approach to representing the interests of members in Australia and globally.
‘Shaun is a proven champion for members and a proven champion for Australian companies.
‘Our Australian Shares investment option is number one over the last decade. This is underpinned by our internally managed Australian Equities portfolio, which has delivered 2.6 per cent per annum outperformance for members since 2013, relative to ASX benchmarks, equating to $8 billion of additional value.’1
The Fund’s Australian Shares investment option is ranked number 1 in SuperRatings over 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 years to 30 April 2026.2
Hailing from Cobden in western Victoria, Manuell began his career in finance in London, at Cazenove and JBWere, returning to Australia to join ASX-listed company Equity Trustees in 2002, where he was appointed to the executive team in 2003.
Manuell said he felt humbled and excited to take on the CIO role.
‘I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to lead the team that invests retirement savings for more Australians than any other.
‘As Australia’s largest active investor, we are able to unlock exceptional opportunities for members and the nation.
’With more than A$410 billion under management, AustralianSuper is Australia’s largest superannuation fund3 and one of the 40 largest asset owners globally.
Almost 60 percent of the total portfolio is internally managed, with more than 400 in-house investment professionals across the globe. Assets under management are forecast to reach A$600 billion by 2030.
Manuell will commence in the role of Chief Investment Officer on 1 July 2026.
Senior Portfolio Managers Luke Smith and Andrew Smith will jointly lead the Fund’s Australian Equities team on an interim basis pending a permanent appointment.
BIO – Shaun Manuell
Shaun joined AustralianSuper in 2013 to establish the internal Australian Equities team with responsibility for the investment strategy for the Australian Equity Portfolio. Shaun has more than 25 years’ investment experience. Prior to joining AustralianSuper, Shaun was the Head of Asset Management and Private Clients at Equity Trustees for 10 years. Before this, he worked in stockbroking in the UK and commenced his career as a lawyer in Melbourne. Shaun has a Bachelor of Economics/Laws from Monash University and an MBA (Deans Honours) from the Melbourne Business School.
About AustralianSuper:
AustralianSuper manages more than $410 billion in members’ retirement savings on behalf of more than 3.6 million members from more than 485,000 businesses (as at 31 December 2025).
This media release includes general financial advice which doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision consider if the information is right for you and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, available at australiansuper.com/PDS or by calling 1300 300 273. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the TMDs australiansuper.com/TMD.
AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788, Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898.
- As at 30 April 2026. Outperformance calculated relative to relevant benchmarks, currently S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index, prior to 1 July 2020, S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index.
- AustralianSuper Australian Shares investment option compared to the SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SR Australian Shares to 30 April 2026.
- APRA Quarterly superannuation fund level statistics December 2026. Released March 2026.
Media contact:
Angus Livingston
AustralianSuper
M: +61 438 012 162
E: alivingston@australiansuper.com