Board of Management


Martyn R Pickersgill Chairman and Non-Executive Director Martyn Pickersgill has had a long and distinguished career in financial services, including 12 years as Managing Director of the IOOF Australia Group. Prior to this, he was financial controller for the Australian Natives Association (now Australian Unity). More recently, Martyn held the role of Executive Director of the Australian Friendly Societies Association for over 10 years retiring in 2005. He is also Chairman of Transport Health and Transport Friendly Society.		Victor Cottren Non-Executive Director Vic has over 50 years of industry experience, with an extensive background in share broking, financial planning, life insurance, superannuation and investment management gained with AMP, Australian Eagle Insurance Company, Norwich Union, The Investors Life Group and National Australia Bank. Vic held various senior posts including chief executive and director within these companies and their subsidiaries. Since 1995, Vic has worked as a consultant to financial service companies in relation to investment, superannuation and financial planning. Within the Austock Group, Vic is a director of the Austock Property companies.


F.G.A Beaumont Non-Executive Director George Beaumont has practised as a barrister for over 40 years. He has an extensive depth of commercial experience gained from advising financial institutions, including life companies and friendly societies, on membership, product development and regulatory matters. George’s broader practice specialises in commercial law, taxation, company law, advocacy and advisory work in these areas. George is also a Director of Austock Group Ltd.		Ross J Higgins Managing Director Ross established Austock’s life office business in 2001 and originated the Imputation and ChildBuilder Bond products. He has over 25 years financial services experience at senior executive levels, including over 12 years with IOOF. Ross has specialist experience with product development, marketing, taxation and the regulation of life insurance, superannuation and managed funds. His career also includes over 10 years as a financial services lawyer and he has had considerable involvement in legislative reviews and government lobbying relevant to financial services.


Warner Bastian Non-Executive Director Warner is a former Managing Director of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s insurance and finance services subsidiaries with over 50 years experience in insurance and financial services. Warner has acted as an alternate Director of Austock Life Ltd since 2007. Within the Austock Group, he is also a Director of Austock Funds Management Ltd, the Responsible Entity for The Australian Social Infrastructure Fund and is Chairman of the Austock Property Audit & Compliance Committee.