Home / Opinion / Appointments: On the move in finance

FPA, OC Funds, Rush Gold, abrdn lead changes in May

The financial services market has been more active than ever in 2022, with the shortage of workers and significant growth leading to a flurry of activity in role and job changes.

The financial services market has been more active than ever in 2022, with the shortage of workers and significant growth leading to a flurry of activity in role and job changes. In this new column, we will seek to keep readers abreast of the major moves that have occurred each fortnight and welcome readers input and insights into the changes.

Here are some of the movements for the fortnight ending 6 May 2022.

This week founder David Evans, announced he was stepping down as executive chairman but will remain as a non-executive chairman, effective 1 July. He will also remain a major shareholder of the wealth management firm. Evans will be replaced by Tony Johnson who would step into the role on 1 June. “Having founded and led Evans & Partners since 2007 and been executive chairman of the company since 2017, I am excited by the opportunities that lie ahead, and it is my judgement that now is the right time to continue the transition to the next generation of leaders,” Mr Evans said.

His successor joins the firm with a strong background, unique skill set and a wealth of knowledge. Previous roles include MD at EY’s financial services businesses across the Asia-Pacific region.

Asset manager OC announced the appointment of Aaron Yeoh as Senior Investment Analyst. He look after research and analysis of Australian small and mid-cap companies and will add to the team’s coverage across consumer discretionary, industrials and information technology. Aaron has previously held positions at Cooper Investors, Goldman Sachs, National Australia Bank and Mutual Trust.

Rush Gold, expanded its advisory board by appointing Luke Collins with a board seat. Collins comes onto the board with more than 25 years of experience heading up the commodities desk at ANZ Bank Australia. Collins has held senior roles prior to joining ANZ Bank, with Glencore International in Switzerland and BHP Billiton.

FPA – The Financial Planning Association of Australia board member and deputy chair, David Sharpe, will become chair of the board on 1 May 2022, taking over from Marisa Broome who has been chair since November 2018.

abrdn’s Australian Multi-Asset Investment Solutions team have announced the appointment of a new Investment Director, Raf Choudhury. In the newly created position, he will play a leading role in managing abrdn’s Australian multi asset funds (including the Multi-Asset Real Return Fund and Multi-Asset Income Fund) and its rapidly growing managed accounts capability.

IML’s retail head has announced his departure at the end of June. Wayne McGauley first joined the firm in 2007 and has led retail distribution for the past 13 years. A spokesperson for the firm confirmed a replacement is yet to be appointed.

Real Asset Management have appointed global real estate veteran, Matthew Strotton, as the Head of Funds Management to drive ongoing growth. Mr Strotton has more than 25 years’ real estate experience in global markets across capital transactions, product development, investment and funds management.

Wealth management firm Crestone, has appointed the former chief investment officer of Energy Super, Kevin Wan Lum. He was chief investment officer at Energy Super for almost three years before it merged with LGIA super. He will join the investments team.

Former AMP Capital managing director, Luke Briscoe, has joined ISPT as group executive, investor solutions. He brings roughly 25 years of investment management, leadership, customer engagement and portfolio management skills to the team.

Global investment firm Ninety One has announced the appointment of Daisy Streatfeild as sustainability director. She will lead the company’s net-zero strategy and help clients with their approach to sustainable investing.