LGA Mutual Board

The LGA Mutual Board replaces the two previous boards of the LGA Workers Compensation Scheme and LGA Mutual Liability Scheme. The new skills-based Board consists of five Directors being an independent Chair, two independent directors, a State Government representative and the LGA CEO.

The LGA Mutual Board is accountable to, and reports to, the LGA Board of Directors. The LGA Board of Directors has approved a constitution for LGA Mutual, delegated a number of activities relating to the operations of the Schemes to the Mutual Board, and has appointed a CEO to manage LGA Mutual and the contract with the service provider.

Board members

Mr David Holston

Independent Director / Chair

David Holston is an experienced professional with an accomplished career spanning over four decades in the insurance, superannuation, and investment Industry.

His versatile expertise spans across various sectors including Life and General Insurances, Health, Workers Compensation, and Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurances. Serving as the Chair since October 2018, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his role.

His current engagements include acting as the Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee to the South Australian Public Trustee, a position that underscores his commitment to prudent financial management.

Simultaneously, he serves as an Investment Consultant to the Wyatt Benevolent Institution as well as a Board Member and Chair of the Investment Committee of Statewide Superannuation Fund before its merger into Host Plus in 2022.

David’s journey is a testament to his profound impact on the financial sector and his strategic acumen as he continues to influence the industry’s landscape.

Dascia Bennett

Independent Director

Dascia has had an accomplished career spanning over 25 years, demonstrating extensive leadership and management across both commercial and non-profit sectors. She has held pivotal roles, including CEO and Senior Executive positions in diverse fields such as superannuation, insurance, financial services, government, and industry consultation.

Her proven expertise encompasses a spectrum of vital functions, ranging from Strategic Planning, Finance, and Operations to Enterprise Risk Management. She displays exceptional acumen in navigating complex operating environments and driving organisational excellence.

Dascia is an accomplished board director and consultant who brings strong commercial acumen, focusing on highly regulated industries such as insurance, financial services, banking, and technology services.

She is known for fostering relationships with key stakeholders and being highly tuned to finding common ground in complex stakeholder dynamics, including joint ventures, private-public partnerships, and other stakeholder groups to deliver outcomes that create value for all parties. A skilled facilitator, Dascia is recognised for steering organisations through transformative phases.

Educationally, Dascia’s foundation is firmly established with a Public Policy degree from Flinders University. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and completed the Executive Program from the Australian School of Business (University of NSW), which reflects her commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.

Jenny White

State Government Representative / Director

Jenny’s appointment to the Board of the LGA Mutual (in July 2020) serving as the State Government Representative, marks the culmination of a distinguished career spanning over 16 years in the insurance industry, encompassing both public and private sectors.

Her journey within the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) has seen her hold various senior positions over the past 12 years.

At SAFA, she has been instrumental in safeguarding the State’s economic health by mitigating catastrophic insurance losses and ensuring the principles of the model litigant are upheld in the management of insurance claims under the South Australian Government’s self-insurance arrangements.

In addition, Jenny effectively manages a spectrum of insurance-related activities, including the Treasurer’s indemnity for local government, building indemnity insurance, construction insurance and the government’s involvement in the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The constitution of LGA Mutual provides for the State Government to appoint an alternative director for its appointed director to ensure that the State Government has a representative at all meetings. This is in recognition to the vital role the State Government provides in providing the sector with various statutory immunities and the Treasurer’s Indemnity as well as the statutory nature of the Schemes.

Jenny’s alternative director (appointed by the Minister) is Connie Hill.

Joanne Denley

Independent Director

Joanne is a professional Independent Director and Business Advisor. With her appointment in January 2022, showcasing a career spanning over 35 years dedicated to corporate governance and innovation.

Her expertise extends across various industries, both nationally and internationally, where she’s cultivated operational efficiencies and adeptly managing industrial relations.

Joanne’s legacy as the first female to join the Board of Directors for Bridgestone Australia Group exemplifies her dedication to change management and transformational projects across diverse sectors like manufacturing, retail, financial services, and education.

Presently, Joanne’s portfolio features an array of influential Board positions, including her role as the Board Chair of Minda Inc Group and TAFE SA as well Director of AVMC.

Joanne’s academic achievements, including an MBA with a specialization in Global Entrepreneurial Management as well as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, reflect her commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Mark Duffy

Independent Director

Mark Duffy brings extensive experience in strategic policy, labour markets, superannuation, workers’ compensation and industrial relations.

Mark has 10 years’ experience as a Trustee of major Australian superannuation funds, including NSW State Super and First State Super (now Aware Super).

During this time, he played a key role in transitioning First State Super from a government-regulated fund to an open ‘public offer’ fund. Today, Aware Super is one of Australia’s largest and most respected industry super funds.

Over a 13-year period as a CEO, Director-General and Deputy Director-General, Mark was actively involved in Finance and Audit and Risk Committees, consistently delivering balanced budgets and unqualified audit outcomes. He has also served on a range of boards, including the NSW State Compensation Board (WorkCover), and various energy and infrastructure boards.

More recently, Mark served as the Chief Economist in the SA Department of Premier and Cabinet and CEO of the Department of State Development.

Nathan Petrus

Chief Executive Officer of LGA Mutual

Victoria MacKirdy

LGA Representative / Director