Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Total Risk Management Pty Ltd (TRM), the Trustee of the Russell Investments Master Trust (the Fund) is made up of six Trustee Directors. Nationwide Super is a Division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

Meet our Trustee Directors

Patricia Montague joined the Board on 1 October 2020 and was appointed Chair on 6 December 2023. Patricia has over 30 years senior management experience in financial services with significant depth in wealth management and banking. Patricia is also on the Board of Hume Bank, where she is the Chair of the Remuneration and Succession Committee and a member of the Risk Committee. Patricia has a Bachelor of Arts (Pure Mathematics and Economics) from Queens University of Belfast and is a member of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Patricia also serves on the People & Culture Committee and Member Services & Operations Committee.

Keith Knapman joined the Board on 1 June 2020. Keith has more than 30 years’ experience in the superannuation investment industry with extensive experience in all aspects of investment and actuarial consulting. This includes funding, insurance and compliance advice, liability driven investment solutions, and benefit redesigns including defined benefits to defined contribution conversions, successor fund transfers and transfers resulting from mergers and acquisitions. Keith has a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University and is a former Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

Keith also serves on the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee and Investment Committee.

Peter Gunning, CFA joined the Board on 6 December 2023 and serves as Vice Chairman for Russell Investments. In this role, Peter focuses on ensuring that Russell Investments leverages all of the firm’s wide array of investment capabilities and expertise to fully benefit clients. In addition, he serves on Russell Investments’ executive committee. Previously, Peter served as Global Chief Investment Officer, with responsibility for all aspects of the firm’s investment division worldwide. Peter Gunning joined the firm’s Sydney office in 1996.

Peter also serves on the Investment Committee and the Member Services & Operations Committee.

Ben Walsh joined the Board on 2 July 2024. Ben has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services including in Superannuation and Insurance. He was the Chief Life and Health Insurance Officer, and also the Chief Investment Officer at AIA Australia, was the Chief Country Officer at Marsh McLennan Companies (Australia) and was the Managing Director & CEO at Mercer Australia and New Zealand. Ben has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Melbourne University and a Master of Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a portfolio of Non-Executive Director, Board Chair and Committee Chair roles.

Ben also serves on the Investment Committee, the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee and the People & Culture Committee.

Ross Barry joined the Board on 16 September 2025. Ross has over 25 years’ experience as an investment professional in the Superannuation industry. Ross was previously the Chief Investment Officer for Spirit Super, one of Australia’s largest industry superannuation funds as well as a senior investment leader for Aware Super. Ross has also served as an independent Director of the Successful Palisade Diversified Infrastructure Fund. He holds a PhD in Applied Finance from Macquarie University.

Ross serves as both a member of the Investment Committee and the People and Culture Committee.