Future Fund chief Mark Burgess to quit for private sector Moving on: Mark Burgess (front) with David Gonski from the Future Fund. Photo: Michel O'Sullivan The head of the Future Fund, Mark Burgess, will leave the $89 billion fund to return to the private sector. Mr Burgess' replacement, or future roles, have not been named. Before his appointment two and a half years ago, Mr Burgess served as chief executive of funds management investor Treasury Group. While his pay is not disclosed, the Future Fund's last released annual report shows the highest paid employee received $1.38 million, including a base salary of $526,499 and a bonus of more than $400,000. Established in 2006 to pay for public-sector superannuation liabilities, the Future Fund recently reported a 15.4 per cent return for the year to June. Mr Burgess said in a statement today that he appreciated the support he had received from the board and his colleagues. "With recent strong performance and the fund now fully invested, I have decided to return to the private sector to bring my experience to that field," he said. Set up in mid-2006 with $60.5 billion in government contributions, the fund has a mandate to return inflation plus 4.5 to 5.5 per cent a year over the long term. Australian equities now comprise 9.2 per cent of its assets, developing market shares 23.8 per cent and emerging market shares 7.1 per cent. Private equity investments comprise 7.3 per cent, property 6 per cent and infrastructure and timberland 8.1 per cent. The remainder is debt, alternative investments and cash. The 15.4 per cent annual return - in line with returns by the average balanced superannuation fund - took the fund's three-year return to 10 per cent a year. Over five years, the return is 7.1 per cent a year. The Future Fund is also responsible for three funds worth $11.3 billion: the Education Investment Fund, the Building Australia Fund and the Health and Hospitals Fund. Mr Burgess' resignation comes after AustralianSuper sought pre-trial discovery of documents relating to how the Future Fund reached its valuation on Perth Airport, alleging the fund priced it out of bidding for the airport by ascribing a premium of up to 43 per cent to it. AustralianSuper argues that by allegedly paying more for the airport, the Future Fund was able to make it too expensive for it to match the offer. The Future Fund has rejected the claims.