ACSA AWARDS RECOGNISE OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION

The Australian Custodial Services Association (ACSA) today announced the winners of its annual awards. The 2018 winners are Narelle Rutter of BNP Paribas Securities Services, Gordon Little of ACSA, Gregory Wilkin of HSBC Securities Services and Fergus Walshe of BNP Paribas Securities Services.  The Awards were presented by ACSA Chair, David Knights at the Investment Operations Conference held today in Sydney.

The ACSA Awards recognise the contribution of individuals to the industry, key stakeholders and the Association.  The annual awards are open to anyone who makes a significant contribution and are nominated by their peers. The Awards are judged on the level, frequency and quality of the individual’s contribution to the industry.

Commenting on the Awards, David Knights, said: “It is a pleasure to add four more names to our roll of honour, and for such diverse contributions. The annual Awards allow us to highlight the level of professionalism and expertise within the securities services community, and to recognise the voluntary efforts of our members to influencing positive change.”

The ACSA Award to Fergus Walshe recognises his consistent contribution to the ACSA Attribution Managed Investment Trust (AMIT) Taskforce throughout 2017. Mr Walshe was acknowledged for his role in leading discussions within the Taskforce and regulators aimed at practical implementation of the new attribution regime, including clarifying the definitions of fund payment and treatment of TFN tax.

Commenting on Narelle Rutter’s award, Mr Knights said “Narelle has been Chair of the Corporate Actions Working Group for the last 3 years. Since taking on this role Narelle has led the group through a wide variety of industry consultation and programs to drive standards, efficiency and consistency across the corporate actions space.  More recently, Narelle has been actively participating in the ASX CHESS replacement workshops and technical committee.”

Gregory Wilkin and Gordon Little received lifetime achievement status with their Awards in recognition of the significant period of time each has contributed to the industry. 

Mr Wilkin has been a participant within the Australian custodial industry for 30 years.  Mr Knights said “Greg is recognised as a skilled practitioner across the range of core custody functions including settlements and corporate actions.  He has engaged in a wide variety of industry-based discussions and positive change over his many decades, including improved industry efficiency and automation in messaging standards, cross-industry engagement in promotion of corporate event announcement automation, dividend reinvestment and rights issues streamlining, and extensive consultation in the lead up to T+2 implementation in 2016.  More recently, Mr Wilkin has been engaged in influencing change across structure, settlements, corporate actions and data element themes within ASX CHESS replacement workshops.”

Gordon Little contributed to the organisation as a Director for over 7 years, from mid-2010 to Nov 2017.  During this time he acted as executive sponsor of the Tax Working Group. As one of ACSA’s most active working groups, Tax was tasked with the review of significant changes throughout Gordon’s tenure.  Gordon provided stewardship of the Group, and lead ACSA’s efforts in meeting with lead regulators, government and other key stakeholder groups to broker change.  Specific contributions included overseeing significant ACSA submissions on AMIT, collective investment vehicles, withholding tax and stapled securities. This focus served to ensure ACSA’s engagement on key issues and ability to influence change in a positive and practical direction.  Mr Little also acted as Honorary Treasurer of the Association taking on this important office in 2011. 

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