Leadership team

Paul Carter – Managing Director

Paul brings extensive experience in managing large financial services teams to the role of Managing Director. Paul comes to us from Citigroup in New York where he was Chief Operating Officer of Investment Advisory Services and Managing Director of Citi Institutional Consulting.

Paul was previously a Project Leader at global management firm The Boston Consulting Group in New York and Melbourne. Paul has an MBA from the Harvard Business School in Boston and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) at the University of Melbourne.

Frank Merzel – Head of Operations

Frank's 18 years' experience in the superannuation industry spans asset consulting, administration, operations management and relationship management. Frank joined Plum in 2000 as a Transition Manager and moved to Relationship Management in 2001. He has most recently held the senior position of Regional Manager of Member and Client Services. Frank is responsible for managing Plum's operations function, which includes client conversions, administration and contact centre support.

Dave Woodall – Manager – Business and Market Development

Dave has over 17 years' experience in corporate super having worked in a range of client consulting, management and marketing roles. He leads Plum's Business and Market Development team, which is responsible for corporate sales and consultant relationships.

Dave joined Plum in 2003 as a Business Development Manager and has played a key role in a number of corporate sales successes.

Before Plum he held senior roles with AMP, ING and ANZ. Dave has a Degree in Economics, a Diploma of Financial Planning and post graduate qualifications in Finance and Investments.

Geoff Short – General Counsel and Company Secretary, and Acting Manager, Risk and Compliance

Geoff's extensive involvement in the financial services industry spans over 12 years. At Plum, Geoff is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the business and the Plum and Trustee Boards. In previous roles, Geoff has headed Clayton Utz's Melbourne Superannuation Practice and led KPMG's Melbourne Superannuation Services division.

Geoff has advised and acted for trustees, employers, responsible entities, fund members and public offer funds on superannuation and managed investments issues.

Jason Sommer - Head of Member and Client Relationships

Jason is an experienced actuary with 13 years experience in the corporate superannuation industry. During this time Jason has focussed on the provision of superannuation consulting advice, investment management advice, actuarial advice and relationship management. Jason is responsible for the relationships and service provided to Plum’s members and corporate clients.

Jason joined Plum in 2002 as a Relationship Manager in Plum’s Sydney office. He most recently held the senior role of Regional Manager of Member and Client Services for Plum’s members and employers in Victoria, WA, SA and Tasmania.

Prior to joining Plum, Jason held consulting roles with Mercer and Sedgwick Noble Lowndes. Jason has a Bachelor of Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

David Thiele – Business Technology Partner

David has over 20 years' experience in the technology and financial services industries in Australia. At Plum David focuses on delivering technology solutions to service Plum's clients and members. 

Before joining Plum in 2005, David spent 15 years as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, followed by senior roles at AXA. 

David has a Degree in Mathematics from Adelaide University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Flinders University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute (PMI).

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