The alternatives sector is unique in that it’s largely defined by what it’s not. Accordingly, how you fit alternatives within your existing asset class structure will depend on relativity, and how the investments interact with the other asset classes according to Atchison’s Kev Toohey.
The private markets juggernaut is one that has also thrown up a wealth of data that other players can use to sharpen up due diligence when making their own investment decisions – especially in the growing secondaries market.
On the move in wealth management – culture in focus
As Anthony Albanese is sworn in as the new Prime Minister and the Labor Party takes power for the first time in close to a decade, there have been a lot of high profile moves in political circles. Josh Frydenberg and Tim Wilson were chief among them, perhaps that will join the wealth management industry in the coming years.
With this as a backdrop, the sector remains as busy as ever with a growing focus on people, culture and innovation echoing the sentiment of the successful teal independent candidates that stormed the election.
Australian Ethical announced the appointment of Eveline Moos as Chief People and Culture Officer. Having worked at First Sentier Investors, AMP Capital and Perpetual, she brings a wealth of knowledge into the firm. She has an extensive background in people and culture, strategy, cultural transformation and integrating business and people needs across different geographies and business sectors. Moos’s appointment brings gender parity to the Australian Ethical Senior Leadership Team while its gender-balanced Board is one of only 25 in the ASX300.
T. Rowe Price appointed Poppy Allonby as head of environmental, social, and governance enablement. With 20 years of asset management industry experience, Allonby joins the firm on June 6, 2022, as head of ESG Enablement. Based in London, she will oversee the firm’s corporate ESG positioning, global ESG product range, regulatory engagement, and go-to-market approach.
Atmos Renewables (Atmos) – Announced the appointment of Nigel Baker to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Atmos is a renewable energy platform owned by Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Baker has more than 20 year’s experience in the renewable energy sector and most recently held the role of Executive General Manager, Generation & Trading at Tilt Renewables.
Capital.com and Currency.com – Peter Hetherington was appointed the new Group CEO of the group of companies. He most recently served as the Chief Executive at Schroders Personal Wealth. Capital.com is on a rapid growth trajectory, particularly in the Australian market. Peter will succeed Jonathan Squires, who was Group CEO during the Group’s early growth phase.
Janus Henderson Investors – Has announced the appointment of Panos Nikopolitidis as Head of Operations. He will be based in London and report to Global Chief Operating Officer, JR Lowry. As part of his role, he will look after operations strategy, fund administration, investment operations, client operations, investment control, third party administrator oversight, and performance and client reporting.
WLTH – Australian digital lending and payments provider this week announced a strategic partnership with mortgage broker aggregator Specialist Finance Group (SFG) to strengthen its broker community presence. The partnership will also involve the appointment of Tim Ford as National Partnerships Manager. Bringing with him over 17 years of experience in the mortgage broking industry, Ford has been tasked with shaping the way WLTH forms relationships and delivers value with Australia’s largest aggregators and brokers.
Allonby most recently was head of Global Product, EMEA and APAC, for BlackRock, where she was instrumental in developing and delivering the sustainable product strategy for its active investment business.
CountPlus – Has announced the appointment of a new CEO and chief financial and operating officer. Hugh Humphrey as its new chief executive, effective from 1 July 2022. He brings over 20 years of experience to the group having previously worked as general manager of NAB’s consumer bank, as well as general manager and executive general manager at CBA Wealth Management Advice. Laurent Toussaint, who worked as interim CEO over the last few months, has been promoted to chief financial and operating officer.
Schroders have appointed a new investment director, Annie-Sophie Williams, to co-ordinate its equities product team. Williams will be the central point of contact for Schroders equity funds and strategies. She has 12 years of extensive experience across investment management, client relations and strategy. Her last stint was at BlackRock as an active equities product strategist.
Global asset manager GQG Partners are expanding their Australian team with the appointment of two business development directors, David Jenkins and Muneeza Killen. Jenkins comes onboard with over 15 years’ experience in the wealth management industry. He was most recently at Colonial First State as a strategic account manager. Jenkins will be based in Brisbane. Killen also has a wealth of knowledge. She joins with 12 years experience combined in sales and distribution and financial recruitment in both Australia and the UK. In her previous role she was the director of sales at Talaria Capital. She will be based in Melbourne.
ISPT has named its next CEO, Chris Chapple. He replaces Daryl Browning who tendered his resignation back in February. Chapple comes onboard with 25 years of property industry experience having held development, asset management (all sectors) and funds management roles at Jones Lang LaSalle, Multiplex and Charter Hall.
