The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is pleased to announce the appointments of Ms Natalie Cameron as Investments and Advice Lead Ombudsman, and Ms Heather Gray as Superannuation Lead Ombudsman.
AFCA Chief Executive and Chief Ombudsman David Locke announced the appointments today noting the pair’s wealth of experience in the financial services industry.
“Together, Natalie and Heather bring considerable experience and exceptional knowledge in insurance, superannuation and investments to AFCA,” Mr Locke said.
“I am delighted to see them join the team and look forward to working with them more closely over the coming months.”
Ms Gray is a highly experienced law firm partner and financial services specialist who has held senior roles with firms including Allens and Hall & Willcox. She has also spent more than a decade on the Law Council of Australia’s Superannuation Committee. Ms Cameron previously worked for MLC Life Insurance and has held roles with AIA Australia and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
“Heather is well recognised as an expert in superannuation law and practice and a leader in her field. She joins an already strong superannuation team at AFCA,” Mr Locke said.
“I am delighted that Heather has chosen to join AFCA at this exciting time.”
“Natalie also joins AFCA with a wealth of experience in law, customer relations, disputes and complaints resolution – operating at a senior level across large financial services businesses.”
Ms Gray will commence with AFCA on Monday 18 May, while Ms Cameron will start in the role on Monday 22 June.
About Ms Natalie Cameron, Lead Ombudsman – Investments and Advice
Ms Cameron began her career at Clayton Utz, where she completed her articles and became a solicitor focusing on insurance and litigation. She then worked with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) focusing on regulatory policy and markets.
In 2005, Ms Cameron moved into industry, where she operated as the General Counsel and Company Secretary for AIA Australia. As a member of the executive committee, she was responsible for all litigation, disputes and complaints resolution. Ms Cameron’s time at AIA Australia also spanned roles managing operations, pricing, distributor relationships and product. She later became CEO of AIA New Zealand.
Prior to joining AFCA, Ms Cameron was the Chief of Customer Operations for MLC Life Insurance.
About Ms Heather Gray, Lead Ombudsman – Superannuation
Ms Gray commenced her career at Arthur Robinson & Co (now Allens) and was a partner there for a number of years. She has also held partner roles at other law firms, specialising in superannuation and financial services law.
Ms Gray has sat on the Law Council of Australia’s Superannuation Committee for more than a decade, including a term as its Chair, and has consulted widely with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and the Australian Taxation Office and Treasury on superannuation issues.
She has hands on superannuation industry experience, having been a director of the legal industry superannuation fund Legalsuper.
Prior to joining AFCA, Ms Gray led the national superannuation practice for Hall & Wilcox.
Published: 17 April 2020
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About AFCA
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is a non-government ombudsman service providing free, fair and independent help with financial disputes. It is a one-stop-shop for consumers and small businesses who have a dispute with their financial firm, over things such as banking, credit, insurance, advice, investments or superannuation. Where an agreement cannot be reached between parties, AFCA can issue decisions that are binding on financial firms.
