Directors and Executive Officers

Paul Lahiff

Chairman and Independent Director

Paul was appointed Chairman of the Board of NESS Super on 20 May 2021 and was appointed to the Board as an Independent Director on 21 March 2019.

Paul holds a BSc from Sydney University.  Paul runs his own consultancy business specialising in strategy formulation, executive coaching & mentoring and Board governance. Paul has almost forty years' experience in banking and finance, with previous roles as Chair of NPP Australia Limited, Managing Director roles with Mortgage Choice, Permanent Trustee and Heritage Building Society. Paul has held senior executive roles with Westpac in Sydney and London. Paul has also served on the boards of Sunsuper, Cancer Council NSW, House With No Steps and Thorn Group.

Current Directorships / Appointments:

• Chairman and Independent Director of NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Chair of the Advanced Encryption Standard Steering Committee
• Chair of ISO20022 Migration Steering Committee
• Chair of Clime Investment Management Limited
• Director of Harmoney Corp Limited
• Director & Secretary of Lahiff Consulting Pty Ltd
• Director & Secretary of P & R Lahiff Pty Ltd
• Director & Secretary of RSW Lane Cove Pty Ltd
• Non-Executive Director of Defence Bank

Gaibrielle Germanos

Independent Director

Gaibrielle was appointed as an Independent Director on 1 September 2022.

Gaibrielle has extensive experience and leadership in the financial services industry. This includes senior roles at Westpac/BT, Reserve Bank, Rothchild Australia Asset Management, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Allens (a leading international law firm), spanning a period of over 20 years.

Gaibrielle brings a wealth of knowledge and legal, risk and compliance skills to the Board, as well as enhancing the diversity of the Board.

Qualifications & Memberships

• Bachelor of Laws University of New South Wales
• Admitted Solicitor Supreme Court of NSW (current practicing certificate)
• Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Current Directorships / Appointments:

• Director, NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Director, Three Sunrises Pty Limited

Chris Madson

Director (Employer Representative)

Chris was appointed as an Alternate Director from September 2015, then a Director from December 2019. Chris is a chartered accountant with a wealth of experience in the electrical contracting industry. He has held the role of Managing Director at Stowe Australia since 2004, Director of Stowe Group since 2007, and prior to this worked at Goldman Sachs and Arthur Anderson.

Chris is the Chairman of the Investment Committee.

Qualifications & Memberships

• Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting & Finance
• Chartered Accountant
• Member Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Cert IV in Superannuation

Current Directorships / Appointments:

• Director, NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Managing Director, Stowe Australia Pty Ltd
• Director, ACN 000 028 286 Pty Ltd
• Director and Secretary, Stowe Group Pty Ltd
• Director, DavPat Pty ltd
• Director, Madson Holdings Pty Ltd
• Director and Secretary, Madcap Holdings Pty Ltd

John Williams

Director (Employer Representative)

John was appointed Director of NESS Super Pty Ltd on 21 May 2021.

John has worked in the electrotechnology industry for over 40 years. He was previously the Managing Director of Heyday Group and is currently a self-employed management consultant.  John was previously a director of Warrah Society, a not for profit (registered charity) organisation offering quality supports for adults and children with disability in Sydney’s North West. John brings a background in business strategy, tendering and business development, project delivery and financial reporting.

Current Directorships / Appointments

• Director, NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Director, JWHD5 Pty Limited
• Secretary, JWHD5 Pty Limited

Phillip Oswald

Director (Member Representative)

Phil was appointed to the NESS Super Pty Ltd Board on 24 June 2022.

Phil brings extensive experience of the supply industry and has served in many technical roles during his 40-year career with Ausgrid. Phil’s knowledge and experience was utilised in Project Management discipline and his role was the delivery of major construction and refurbishment projects.

Phil is a Life member of the Electrical Trades Union NSW (ETU) and is currently the Vice President of Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing & Allied Services Union of Australia.

Current Directorships / Appointments:

• Director, NESS Super Pty Ltd

Alana Heffernan

Director (Member Representative)

Alana was appointed to the NESS Super Pty Ltd Board on 27 May 2024.

Alana has extensive experience in industrial and workplace matters, representing the best interests of individuals during her career with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and the Electrical Trades Union of Australia for over 10 years. Alana has experience in complex legal and governance matters. Alana also serves as a director of the board of Electrotechnology Industry Group Training Company Limited, a training and employment provider for electrical apprentices.

Alana has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queensland University of Technology and a Practical Legal Training certificate from the College of Law.

Current Directorships / Appointments

• Director, NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Director, Electrotechnology Industry Group Training Company Limited
• Director, Jothal Pty Ltd
• Director, Heffernan Property Investment Pty Ltd

Paul Cahill

CEO

Paul joined NESS Super in January 2018 as our new CEO. Paul has 25+ years’ experience in the superannuation sector, having had long CEO tenures at AMIST and ClubPlus super where he grew those Fund’s significantly. Paul is passionate about helping members retire with as much dignity as possible.

Current Directorships / Appointments

• Secretary, NESS Super Pty Ltd
• Director, Transition Management Australia

Simon Horrod

Head of Member Services

Simon joined NESS Super in March 2016.

Simon is responsible for Member and Employer Services for NESS Super, including our Contact Centre team. Simon's responsibilities encompass the delivery of administration, insurance and financial planning services to members. Simon has over 30 years' experience in financial services having previously held senior roles at BT Financial Group, TAL and MLC in administration, service, sales and distribution.

Simon holds a Diploma of Financial Services.

Felix Feist

Chief Operating Officer

Felix joined NESS Super as Risk and Compliance Manager in February 2021 and became the Chief Operating Officer in July 2025. Felix has over 30 years’ experience in the superannuation and financial services industry, with a strong background in compliance, risk management, governance, and superannuation operations. Professional experience has been gained within industry funds, corporate funds, retail funds and consultant firms from both a superannuation trustee and business perspective. Felix holds a Diploma of Financial Services.

Senani Costa

Head of Investment Operations

Senani has been part of NESS Super since 13 Dec 2021.

Senani is a qualified CPA and skilled Senior Finance professional who has over 25 years of experience in various (international and domestic) financial service organisations, including the superannuation sector, where he held financial and operational leadership roles. Senani has previously worked at Club Plus Super, Australian Administration Services (AAS) and Rest.

Senani has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting (1996) and is a Certified Member of the Australian Society of CPA's (2003 – Current).