Our Board

The role of our Board

Our Board is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and management of our global investment portfolio of over $39 billion as at 31 March 2024. In carrying out their responsibilities, the Board:

• Oversees the management of the GES Fund and administration of our GESB schemes under the State Superannuation Act 2000
• Monitors achievements against declared objectives and ensures that we comply with superannuation related legislation and policies
• Sets high standards of governance, with a focus on risk, return, diversification, liquidity and sustainability to meet the needs of our members
• Undertakes continuous education to achieve best practice operating standards outlined by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA)
This ensures they meet and maintain educational and technical competencies that enable them to effectively discharge their duties in a knowledgeable and prudent manner.

Our operations include investment management, administration of the defined benefit, accumulation and retirement schemes. This takes a high and varied level of Board expertise and experience, gained across diverse industry and government environments.

Our Board members

As at June 2023

Our GESB board consists of seven directors, including and led by our independent Chair, Jo Gaines. Three employer directors are appointed by the Governor of the State of Western Australia, and three member directors appointed through elections conducted by UnionsWA.

All of our Board directors are non-executive directors, appointed for a maximum of five years and eligible for reappointment.

Chair – Jo Gaines
Employer Director – Virginia Christie
Member Director – Anne Gisborne
Member Director – Bruce Hawkins
Employer Director – Warren Bird
Employer Director – Janice Jones
Member Director – Janine Freeman

Jo Gaines - Chair

Ms Gaines was appointed as Chair of the Board in 2021 for a five-year term expiring on 18 October 2026.

Ms Gaines is an experienced leader and strategic policy director having worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier of Western Australia.

For more than 10 years, Ms Gaines served as Branch Assistant Secretary for the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA).

Ms Gaines has worked with government, private sector and non-government organisations to drive reforms in a diverse range of fields including job creation, economic diversification, energy, training, child protection, health, contracting and procurement, and climate change. She was a leader in the development of the WA Recovery Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Gaines is currently serving as Executive Director of Gaines Advisory, a Director of Development WA and an Independent Non Executive Director of Chalice Mining and Technology Metals Australia.

Ms Gaines qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from the Curtin University. She is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Virginia Christie - Employer Director

Ms Christie was appointed to the Board as Employer Director in October 2019, for a term of five years. This is her first term serving on the Board.

Ms Christie’s qualifications include an Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Foundations of Directorship, a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of WA, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute.

Ms Christie was employed for 20 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), including as head of the WA office and on the RBA Superannuation Board of Trustees. She was also employed at the Commonwealth Treasury in Canberra and has a Ministerial appointment for ASIC’s Insolvency and Disciplinary Committee.

Ms Christie has previously served as a non-executive Director of Keystart Loans Ltd, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, the Foundation Board of Management for St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, and the State Advisory Council for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) WA.

Anne Gisborne - Member Director

Ms Gisborne was appointed to the Board as a Member Director in February 2017, for a period of three years. She was re-appointed for a second three-year term, effective 8 February 2020 and has been re-appointed for a further three-year term expiring in February 2026.

For more than 15 years, Ms Gisborne was an executive member of the State School Teacher's Union (SSTUWA), which looks after WA teachers in the workplace and promotes public education to the wider community.

Ms Gisborne was President of SSTUWA from 2008 to 2013, and was appointed trustee of the organisation as part of this role. While at SSTUWA, her responsibilities included executive board compliance, financial management, appointments and management of staff, policy development, and strategic planning.

Between 2005 and 2013, Ms Gisborne completed two one-year terms as President of UnionsWA. During this time, she was also an executive member of the Australian Education Union.

Ms Gisborne is currently employed by Edith Cowan University, and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education from the University of Western Australia.

Bruce Hawkins - Member Director

Mr Hawkins was first appointed as a Member Director to the Board for a three-year term on 1 July 2018. He has been reappointed for a further three-year term, commencing 4 July 2021.

Mr Hawkins graduated from TAFE with a Diploma of Management (Business). He is also a Graduate of AIST (Adv.) having completed the Advanced Trustee Director Course.

His professional experience includes working in the public sector in a number of different roles. Mr Hawkins previously held the role of Treasurer for Community and Public Sector Union – Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) and is a member of Unions WA.

Previously, Mr Hawkins worked as a Principal Compliance Officer for the Department of Health. He is also President of the North Suburban Community Cricket Umpires Association, in a voluntary capacity.

Warren Bird - Employer Director

Mr Bird was appointed to the Board as Employer Director in November 2022, for a term of five years. This is his first term serving on the Board.

Mr Bird has been an independent member of GESB’s Investment Committee for 10 years, having been first appointed in June 2013. He has over 30 years of experience in finance and investment roles, including six years as Executive Director at Uniting Financial Services (until 2021). Prior to this, he worked at Colonial First State for a combined 16 years, first as Head of Fixed Interest and later Co-head of Global Fixed Interest and Credit.

Mr Bird has recently been appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Board and also serves as a consultant to HOPE Housing Fund Management Ltd. He has previously been a Board member, Chair of the Investment Committee and member of the Finance Committee at WorldShare, an overseas aid charity.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment from the Australian School of Commerce and Management.

Janice Jones - Employer Director

Ms Jones was appointed to the Board for a five-year term to 22 March 2027. This is her first term serving on the Board.

In her current role as an Actuarial Educator at the Actuaries Institute, she designs and delivers post graduate education in professionalism, investments, superannuation and retirement incomes.

As a Director and Actuary at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2004 to 2022, Ms Jones advised trustee boards, companies and government departments on super, employee benefits and investments.

She also has experience providing strategic advice to the WA Department of Treasury on public sector super policy, and actuarial and advisory services for the NSW public sector superannuation schemes. Other areas of expertise include strategic planning, risk management, investment strategy and tender management for corporate and statutory super funds.

Ms Jones was the Chair of the not-for-profit aged care provider ECHO Community Services and is a mentor for young actuaries in Perth completing their professional qualifications.

Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics) from the University of Western Australia, a Graduate Diploma in Management from the Australian Graduate School of Management, Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) and Fellowship of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. She is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Janine Freeman - Member Director

Ms Freeman was appointed to the Board to fill a casual vacancy in April 2022. She was elected as a Member Director to the Board for a three-year term, commencing 5 May 2022.

As a social equity advocate and former WA Member of Parliament, Ms Freeman served her diverse community for 13 years as the Member for Mirrabooka. She has spent her career representing working people and their families, including the role of Assistant State Secretary of UnionsWA.

Ms Freeman has extensive board and committee experience, joining her first board in 1993. She has been Chair of the WA Legislative Assembly Education and Health Committee, Member of the WA WorkCover Board, and Deputy Chair of the industry superannuation fund, HESTA.

Currently, Ms Freeman is a Board Member of Anglicare WA and Water Corporation.

Ms Freeman holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia, a Certificate IV in Finance Services (Superannuation) from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety Management from Curtin University. She has also completed a Company Director’s Course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Former directors

Frank Sciarrone - Employer Director

Mr Sciarrone was appointed to the Board on 21 February 2016 as an Employer Director for a term of five years. His appointment was renewed for a further one-year term, which concluded on 21 February 2022. He was re-appointed for a second five-year period expiring on 20 February 2027. Mr Sciarrone resigned as an Employer Director of GESB with effect from 16 September 2022.

Mr Sciarrone holds a Bachelor of Business Degree (Economics and Finance) from Curtin University.

He holds a number of memberships including the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Financial Planning Association, and Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

Mr Sciarrone has extensive experience in the investment and wealth management industries, and as a trustee director of private and public sector superannuation funds.

Mr Sciarrone is currently the Managing Director of Vantage Wealth Management and Chair of the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund, as well as a director of several other private companies.