State Super, one of Australia’s largest and most trusted superannuation schemes, has acquired a 23% equity stake in Frontier Advisors, a leading institutional investment advisory firm.
This strategic partnership includes a seat for State Super on Frontier’s board, aligning the NSW public sector superannuation fund with other major shareholders - AustralianSuper, Hesta, Cbus and First Super. In an industry first, this acquisition will also facilitate the movement of State Super’s dedicated investment team inside Frontier to create a new Independent Chief Investment Officer, or ‘ICIO’ service, to best support members.
State Super CEO John Livanas said the collaboration between State Super and Frontier will provide members with continuity and security by retaining access to the technical skills of the specialist team already managing their funds.
“We have a great team of professionals managing our portfolio, and as State Super enters into a new transition phase, we’ve devised a solution to retain this valuable investment team so members who’ve entrusted their retirement savings to us receive a continuity of service,” Mr Livanas said.
This inventive solution will deliver greater opportunity for career growth and professional development for State Super’s dedicated investment team, ensuring continuity for staff and allowing the team to remain focused on doing what they do best, delivering great outcomes for members.
“For the Fund, it will be a seamless transition with our innovative solution that enables current advisers and investors to remain operating exactly as they have for over a decade, whilst providing staff a wealth of new opportunities. Our members report a high level of satisfaction and we are pleased that we can secure this proven capability for State Super and our members into the future.”
Frontier CEO Andrew Polson, said,
“This arrangement ensures that State Super’s decumulation investment expertise remains unconflicted and continues to serve the best interests of its members”.
“Frontier now has added capability and can provide investors with the benefit of retaining control over their own investment policy, strategy and portfolio construction while accessing institutional grade end to end investment services and to maintain our unconflicted advice model in the process.”
About State Super
State Super is the Trustee of the State Authorities Superannuation Scheme (SASS), State Superannuation Scheme (SSS) and Police Superannuation Scheme (PSS). The assets of all schemes have been combined into the STC Pooled Fund. State Super is one of Australia’s largest superannuation schemes with over 80,000 members and $60 billion in member benefits, with $38 billion in assets (as of 30 June 2025).
About Frontier Advisors
Frontier Advisors was established in 1994 and with $850 billion in funds under advice and is one of Australia’s leading specialist, independent investment advisory businesses.