ACSA Awards say thank you to industry volunteers

ACSA AWARDS SAY THANK YOU TO INDUSTRY VOLUNTEERS

Sydney, AUSTRALIA - The Australian Custodial Services Association (ACSA) today congratulated the winners of its 2021 industry awards in a digital ceremony at the Investment Operations Conference (IOC 21).

ACSA’s unique voluntary working group structure relies on asset servicing industry professionals to volunteer their time and subject matter expertise to support the ongoing work of the Association. The ACSA Awards were presented by ACSA Chair, David Knights in an online ceremony to the following individuals:

2021 ACSA Award winners:

·       Adam Taxakis, NAB Asset Servicing

·       James Crane, Northern Trust

·       Jodie Bosler, HSBC 

2021 ACSA Service to the Industry Award:

·       Scott Oakland, J.P. Morgan

ACSA Chair, David Knights, said: “After a unique and challenging year, it is a great pleasure to recognise the individuals who go above and beyond for the asset servicing industry. These individuals have given their time, knowledge and experience to further the cause of the Association’s work. These Awards are a small token of our gratitude and thanks for their invaluable efforts in promoting positive change.”

Mr Knights shared the following citations in presenting the awards:

Since he was appointed chair of the regulatory affairs working group at the beginning of 2020, Adam Taxakis successfully led the group through a challenging year. Adam has led ACSA’s response to multiple consultations (including APRA Data Transformation, Portfolio Holdings Disclosure and RG97) and regulatory requests during the pandemic (including Pandemic Data Collection). He has demonstrated leadership and encouraged team effort across all working group members. The communication from the group to the ACSA Board has been comprehensive, allowing the board to focus on key issues impacting the membership and the wider industry. 

James Crane is a key member of the regulatory affairs working group and has made a significant contribution to the working group since 2020. James was instrumental in drafting the regulatory affairs working group’s response to the Superannuation Data Transformation consultation process, in particular matters around expense reporting. James researched, drafted, and solicited feedback across the group in order to deliver a thorough evidence-based submission. James is also a strong advocate for the industry when engaging with market participants by highlighting the positive role ACSA plays in providing industry level responses to regulatory stakeholders.

Jodie Bosler has provided technical insight, leadership and direction for the tax data sub-group. She has been involved since the inception of the initiative under Funds 2.0 fund data work stream and subsequently volunteered to chair the current sub-group. Her vision and belief in the future model has inspired the group, she has shown tremendous energy and passion towards the initiative, has contributed expertise, and has dedicated hours of her time each week in updating materials, speaking with industry stakeholders and conducting research. Above all, Jodie has remained focused and patient. As chair of the sub-group, she demonstrates leadership and co-ordinates a group of 30 people across 20 organisations for the benefit of the industry and systemic improvement. 

Scott Oakland has been instrumental in coordinating detailed industry responses to the ASX CHESS Replacement project since inception of the initiative. This work has included canvassing subject matter experts across the industry, drafting industry submissions, and working with the broader stakeholder group (50-60 people across a number of organisations) to deliver ACSA submissions to a high level of detail and quality. Scott became chair of the new operations working group when it merged with the corporate actions working group in 2018. Oversight of this larger group has required skills in encouraging contribution and managing the range of voices around the table to drive consensus. In addition to regular operations working group meetings, Scott has convened a number of special purpose forums to focus of urgent operational issues. Major topics have included dealing with liquidation processes, including creditor meetings and forming industry consensus on long running company wind ups (some stretching back more than a decade). Scott has been an active and responsive contributor to issues ranging from proxy voting inefficiency, discount security ISINs to ASX liaison on GDPR and Austraclear circle trades to name a few. His domain knowledge, diplomacy and group leadership skills have made a genuine contribution to ACSA and the industry over an extended period.  

ACSA’s CEO Robert J Brown provided further perspective saying “As CEO I am engaged first hand with the ACSA Board, our working groups and taskforces. I am continually amazed at the generosity of individuals who not only perform demanding day jobs, but who also step up to make a difference for our industry. Congratulations to Adam, James, Jodie and Scott on your well-deserved awards, and my thanks to all contributors”.