KPMG has made two senior appointments to its wealth management business in Australia.

KPMG Australia has hired David Bardsley and Richard Watts as directors within its wealth management and superannuation advisory business.

Bardsley joins the Melbourne office from AustralianSuper, the Australian superannuation/pension fund, where he headed up the investment programme. Watts, based in Sydney was previously senior policy advisor and legal counsel at Industry Super Australia.

Together they will be responsible for overseeing the company's governance, investment and operational risk management, client experience, strategic planning, retirement products and regulatory compliance.

KPMG's wealth management practice offers a range of services to superannuation funds, life offices, employers and fund trustees.

“The practical, hands-on experience that both will add to the team will assist our clients greatly in navigating the evolving challenges that the sector is currently confronting,” said Paul Howes, partner and head of wealth management advisory at KPMG.

“There are many issues driving change in the sector – such as the government's response to the Financial System Inquiry, ongoing changes to the governance and distribution models in superannuation and the rapid internationalisation of investment capacity. KPMG is committed to recruiting additional expertise to expand our service offerings to clients operating across the wealth management sector," said Howes.