Mercer Super CEO to step down
Mercer Super announced that Court Haas will step in as interim chief executive of the fund, taking over on 13 August after Claire Ross left the role following nearly 17 years of senior leadership across three continents.
Interim leader’s background and responsibilities
Haas currently serves as chief financial officer of Mercer Pacific, where he directs the firm’s financial strategy and regional operations. In his new capacity, he will assume the duties previously handled by Ross, who most recently held the titles of Mercer Pacific chief operating officer and chief executive of Mercer Super.
Before joining the organization, he spent seven years providing financial consulting and CFO advisory services, focusing on large‑scale business combinations, integrations and finance transformation projects. Earlier in his career, he held senior finance positions for eight years at Vicinity Centres and its predecessor companies, including general manager of finance, financial controller and integration director. His professional journey began at EY, where he worked in audit in Miami before moving into consulting in Melbourne.
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Context of the leadership change
Ross was appointed as CEO in September 2024, succeeding Tim Barber. Mercer Pacific chief executive and president David Bryant credited her with helping drive the super fund’s recent development. “Claire’s leadership and breadth of knowledge have been foundational to the transformation over recent years,” Bryant said.
The board chair, Jim Minto, confirmed that a search for a permanent chief executive is underway. The transition follows a period of significant expansion for the fund. Bryant highlighted that the organization now serves more than one million members and manages assets exceeding $85 billion.
“The fund has undergone tremendous growth, now serving a large member base with a substantial asset pool,” he added.
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The interim appointment arrives as the organization continues to scale its operations. For members, the change means that day‑to‑day administration and investment oversight should remain steady, while the board evaluates candidates who can sustain the momentum built under Ross’s tenure. The continuity in financial leadership—given Haas’s existing CFO role—suggests the fund aims to avoid disruption during the search.
Implications for members and staff
Employees and members alike can expect the same strategic focus that has characterized recent years: investment in technology, system upgrades and talent acquisition. By appointing an internal finance executive as interim chief executive, the super fund signals a preference for stability and insider knowledge during the transition.
While the permanent CEO search proceeds, governance will likely monitor performance metrics closely, ensuring that the interim period does not affect service quality. Any shift in leadership style may be subtle, but the overarching goal remains delivering consistent outcomes for the large participant base.
