La Trobe Financial appoints new executive

Ms Eacott has over 29 years of experience working in the industry.

When asked about the executive appointment over her male peers, Ms Eacott said La Trobe has always been ahead of the times, as it had a contributory female superfund back in 1967 set at 2.5 percent contribution from the employer.

“La Trobe Financial has also had a significant proportion of its workforce composed of females and has managed to utilise that extremely well to build great teams and a winning customer service proposition,” she said.

“There is always something new happening, regulatory changes, innovation to our products, IT hardware upgrades and applications being rewritten or improved in a constantly evolving finance market; gender was never an issue.

"You can always feel a buzz at the company because of the number of projects that are always on the go.

“Through the different roles I have held over the many years, work has always been interesting.

“I actually predate internet at work which makes me smile.”

In 1996, Ms Eacott was awarded the company’s Hall of Fame Award in recognition of exemplary service, an award voted by her peers.

In 2010, Ms Eacott was awarded the Distinguish Service Medal (DSM). The DSM is the company’s highest level of individual recognition.

“When Greg O’Neill, president & CEO of La Trobe Financial, called me and confirmed the promotion, I felt very humble, honoured and very proud,” Ms Eacott said.

“It was more than the appointment itself, but a vindication we are on the right track in IT and an acknowledgement of the contribution I have given to the company over the successive years,” she said.