Cbus Chief Executive Officer David Atkin has been named  the winner of the 2017 Fund Executive Association Limited (FEAL) Fund Executive  of the Year award, continuing a legacy of recognising outstanding superannuation leadership.

Mr Atkin was recognised at a FEAL members' dinner held at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne last  night, for his market contribution in areas such as environmental, social and  governance (ESG); diversity; the indigenous community; and unpaid super as well  as his steerage of Cbus.

AMP Capital Head of Institutional Business Tim Nation said: "David's outstanding leadership  of Cbus and industry advocacy of best practice in sustainability and diversity  exemplifies what the Fund Executive of the Year award sets out to highlight."

Mr Atkin has been CEO of Cbus, the default fund for the building and construction sector,  since 2008. Cbus manages more than $40 billion on behalf of 770,000 members and  more than 134,000 contributing employers.

Furthermore,  Mr Atkin has been the Australian asset owner representative on the Principles  of Responsible Investment Council since 2009; is a member of the CEO Panel for  the Investor Group on Climate Change; and is an AICD Investors Working Group  member for the 30 per cent club, which campaigns for 30 per cent of women on  ASX 200 boards by the end of 2018.

According to  FEAL Chief Executive Officer Joanna Davison, the calibre of nominees was  extremely high again this year.

Ms Davison said: "David's ongoing commitment to creating value for members at Cbus whilst contributing to the development of the superannuation industry more broadly is impressive.

"Stand out  examples of where David has had the most impact include his successful  championing of innovation, sustainability, and the development of a new  investment strategy to benefit members. He has also ensured that Cbus has been at the forefront of public policy debate which has resulted in Cbus being the  recipient of numerous awards under David's leadership.

It's an honour to name David the 16th annual Fund Executive of the Year."

The annual  Fund Executive of the Year award recognises a fund executive who has made an  outstanding contribution to their employer and the superannuation industry,  with nominees judged on criteria including innovation, leadership, exceeding expectations, demonstrated strategic planning and contribution to the market  place.

According to  Mr Nation: "AMP Capital has proudly partnered with FEAL to sponsor this award  for 16 years. We value the relationship we have with FEAL and the role it plays  to further the development of our industry's leaders in order to continue to provide better retirement outcomes for their members."

Mr Atkin has been awarded a $25,000 executive education grant courtesy of AMP Capital to be  used at his discretion with the world's most renowned business schools.

About the awards

The recipient of the Fund Executive of the Year  Award receives an education grant of $25,000 made possible with the generous support of AMP Capital. The education grant has enabled previous award  recipients to attend executive education programs at world renowned business  schools including Harvard, IMD, INSEAD, London Business School and Wharton.  This important award recognises one fund executive who has made an outstanding  contribution to their fund and the superannuation industry. Award nominees are  judged on the following criteria:

• Innovation
• Leadership
• Exceeding expectations
• Demonstrated  strategic planning
• Contribution  to the market place

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