BT Financial Group (BTFG) has revealed its general manager of superannuation, Melinda Howes, has absorbed responsibility for the firm’s SMSF business, following the announcement of Craig Lawrenson’s departure last month.
Selfmanagedsuper broke the news of Lawrenson’s decision to step down from his role as BTFG head of SMSF to join wealth management platform Hub24.
A BTFG spokesperson told selfmanagedsuper: “Melinda Howes continues to lead our superannuation business, including our SMSF business, as we increase our focus on this important segment.
“We took the opportunity to reallocate responsibilities, ensuring our SMSF business can better leverage the skills and expertise across the entire superannuation business.
“We are continuing to focus on product and distribution supporting the SMSF, MySuper, choice and direct wrap offerings.”
Howes returned to BTFG in 2014, after previously working as its director of superannuation and retirement products from 1993 to 2004.
She was also chief executive of the Actuaries Institute from 2010 to 2013 and also director of product strategy and services at AMP.
Lawrenson established BTFG’s SMSF business and was appointed head of SMSF in 2016, tasked with the responsibility of the strategic direction and growth of BTFG’s SMSF products, services and business.
More recently, heading up product and business architecture, he was involved with the strategy and implementation of the BT Panorama platform.
During his career at BTFG, he was also integral to the development of BT Wrap and also took on responsibility for the Asgard business in 2010.
He will start his new job in mid-August and will report directly to Hub24 managing director Andrew Alcock.
