Employment Hero CEO levels up Hostplus feud, as VC backer Airtree searches for middle ground

Employment Hero CEO Ben Thompson has escalated his public feud with superannuation fund Hostplus, claiming it called his behaviour “erratic and unlawful” in a letter sent to venture capital backer Airtree.

Now, Airtree says it is endeavouring to “find a common understanding” between the Australian tech unicorn and the superannuation giant.

During the last fortnight, Thompson has challenged Hostplus over the superannuation fund’s submission to a recent Treasury consultation, in which Hostplus criticised the way platforms like Employment Hero display superannuation fund options during the employee onboarding process.

Hostplus’ preferred policies would “put Employment Hero out of business”, Thompson sensationally claimed in late February, kickstarting an extraordinary string of social media posts disputing the super fund’s claims.