Fund People Update

Frontier appoints quant

Shahana Mukherjee is the new quant at Frontier Advisors, joining the macro and quant analytics team working within the capital markets and asset allocation team. Mukherjee moves into the role from Moody’s Analytics as assistant director and economist for the APAC region.

AustralianSuper names head of investments, head of investment operations

Stephanie Giurco is the new head of investments, governance and accountability at AustralianSuper, a newly-created role and an internal promotion. Giurco has been with AustralianSuper for eight years, most recently in a business manager role for total portfolio management asset allocation and research.

Shane Kelly has been appointed head of investment operations for AustralianSuper, joining the industry super fund from Commonwealth bank in a similar role.

HESTA appoints investment manager

Annette Beacher is the latest investment manager at HESTA. Beacher has been a market economist for 20 years working for international banks, while also being a news anchor for ausbiz TV interviewing top finance professionals in macro, strategy and funds management.

QIC promotes CFO, COO

Claire Blake has been promoted to chief financial and operating officer at QIC, in a newly-created position. Blake moves into the role from QIC’s chief financial officer, a role she’s been in for 12 years. Blake has been with QIC for 30 years.

CFS appoints CIO

Colonial First State (CFS) has appointed Jonathan Armitage to chief investment officer, with Scott Tully leaving the role. Armitage was most recently chief investment officer at MLC.

ASX loses CFO

Gillian Larkins is leaving the ASX as chief financial officer at the end of August 2022 after almost four years to pursue other opportunities. The search for her replacement is underway.

VFMC welcomes head of risk

Mark Aarons is the new head of investment risk and absolute returns at Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC), an internal promotion. Aarons joined the company in 2018 in several roles, including head of investment risk, acting head of portfolio management and head of portfolio risk and solutions.

Industry Fund Services welcomes new CEO

Cath Bowtell is resigning as CEO at Industry Fund Services (IFS) after six years, and moved into a role as chair of the Industry Fund Services board. Csaba Baranyai will be both chief executive and chief operating officer, an internal promotion. Baranyai, who has been with IFS for seven years, was previously the executive manager of legal, risk and compliance, and company secretary.

WTW appoints head of private equity

Sarah Pendred is the new head of due diligence and private equity at Willis Towers Watson, assessing operational risk and liability for target companies. Pendred moves into the role from Marsh McLennan in a similar role.

 iShares welcomes head of index investments, iShares

Jason Collins is the new head of iShares and index investments for BlackRock Australia and New Zealand. Collins is currently deputy head of BlackRock Australiasia, with the new role an extension of his current role.

State Street names investment strategist

Julia Lee is State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) newest investment strategist for Asia Pacific. Lee moves into the role from Burman Invest, which she founded and was investment chief. Lee is also the host of the shares edition of Your Money, Your Call.