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Northern Trust - History
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Northern Trust's Involvement in the Association

 

Introduction 


Northern Trust has been a significant player in the Australian Custodial Services Association (ACSA) since 2008, playing a vital role in promoting best practices in custody and investment administration in Australia. Throughout this period, Northern Trust has made substantial contributions through its dedicated representatives on the ACSA Executive Board and various working group leaders and participants.

 

ACSA's Role and Achievements  

ACSA serves as a cornerstone in the custody and investment administration industry in Australia. It aims to enhance the standards and practices within the sector, providing a platform for industry collaboration and advocacy. Over the years, ACSA has accomplished several milestones, including: 

  • Advancing Industry Standards: From its inception, ACSA has been at the forefront of establishing best practices for custody and investment administration services. These standards have helped ensure consistency and reliability across the industry, benefiting both service providers and their clients. 
  • Advocacy and Policy Influence: ACSA has been an active advocate for its members, engaging with policymakers to shape regulatory frameworks that support the growth and stability of the custody and investment administration sector. Its input has been instrumental in crafting regulations that address issues such as risk management, data security, and asset protection. 
  • Technological Integration: Recognising the transformative potential of technology, ACSA has championed the adoption of digital tools and platforms. Initiatives such as electronic reporting standards and blockchain-based asset tracking have positioned its members at the cutting edge of innovation. 
  • Member Engagement and Education: ACSA’s commitment to its members is evident in its extensive range of training programs, workshops, and conferences. These events provide valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional development, ensuring that members remain well-equipped to navigate industry challenges. 

 

Northern Trust Contributors

Northern Trust’s involvement in leading ACSA’s strategy and approach has been marked by the notable contributions of several key individuals:

Paul Cutts (2008-2011)
Paul Cutts served as a representative of Northern Trust from 2008 to 2011. His leadership was particularly impactful when he became Chair of ACSA from 2010 to 2011. During his tenure, Paul focused on strengthening the framework of custody and investment administration services and enhancing industry standards.

Rohan Singh (2012-2015)
Rohan Singh carried forward Northern Trust’s commitment from 2012 to 2015. His efforts were pivotal in advancing regulatory discussions and expanding ACSA’s influence within the industry. His tenure contributed to changing approaches to ACSA’s industry engagement.

Madeleine Senior (2016-2017)
Madeleine Senior represented Northern Trust between 2016 and 2017. Her tenure was marked by initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and driving industry education. She played a key role in organising forums that facilitated knowledge sharing and knowledge development among industry professionals.


Sally Surgeon (2018- current)
Most significantly, Sally Surgeon has represented Northern Trust from 2018 to 2025, holding the Chair position from 2021 to today. Her leadership has been instrumental in steering ACSA through a period of significant industry transformation. Under Sally’s guidance, ACSA has achieved:

- Enhanced collaboration between custody and investment administration providers.
- Increased focus on technological change and cybersecurity.
- Strengthened industry-wide compliance and regulatory standards.
- Development of new programs to engage ACSA members.

 

ACSA Award Winners

Each year ACSA issues awards for contribution to the industry.

The ACSA Awards affirm the industry’s desire to recognise outstanding individual contribution. Several members of the Northern Trust team have been recipients of the awards including:

2012/2015 - Sally Surgeon
2018 - James Edmonds
2020 – James Crane
2021 – Nicole Carnovale

 

Looking Ahead

Northern Trust’s involvement in ACSA since 2008 highlights its commitment to enhancing the custody services industry in Australia. Through the efforts of its key contributors and executive board members, Northern Trust has played a crucial role in advancing the goals and achievements of ACSA. The leadership of individuals such as Paul Cutts, Rohan Singh, Madeleine Senior, and notably Sally Surgeon has ensured that ACSA remains at the forefront of industry development and innovation.