Fund People Update

Aberdeen loses head of product development

Lee Cavanagh is leaving Aberdeen Standard Investments as head of product development and management after almost 14 years at the company. Cavanagh joined ABI in 2007, with a replacement not been named.

BT Super trustee retires after a decade

With his replacement in position, BT Super trustee board chair David Plumb has retired after over a decade. Gai McGrath is his replacement as non-executive director and chair of the BT Super trustee board from the start of July.

HESTA welcomes head of ESG

Kim Farrant is joining HESTA as general manager of responsible investments in July. Farrant moves into the role at HESTA from Hostplus.

AMP welcomes an experienced director, loses manager, gains CEO

Michael Hirst is now an independent non-executive director at AMP. Hirst was formerly the CEO and MD of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. AMP Capital’s head of sector multi-manager, Lydia Serafim, is leaving in July 2021 after almost a quarter of a century with the company. Serafim is taking on an external opportunity.

AMP Capital is also welcoming its new chief executive, an import from the USA, Shawn Johnson. Johnson is the former director and chair of State Street Global Advisors investments committee and spent 15 years with the firm.

Schroders loses head of distribution

Graeme Mather has left Schroders after nearly five years as board director and functions including sales, product marketing and client services. A replacement is not being sought.

Pendal appoints head of product

David Harris begins his new role at Pendal Group as head of product, moving into the role from AMP Australia as senior product consultant.

PwC appoints heads

PricewaterhouseCoopers has appointed Tom Gunson to financial services leader, replacing Julie Coates. Coates is now business markets leader for consulting and global relationship partner and global platforms leader.

Citi welcomes head of research

Paul McTaggart is the new head of research for Australia and New Zealand at Citi, while also maintaining his current job as the co-head of Pan-Asian markets and mining research, and head of Australian metals and mining research. McTaggart moves into the role from co-head of research at Credit Suisse in Australia.

VFMC appoints director

Victorian Funds Management Corporation has appointed Tom Considine as a non-executive director. Considine is an advisory and investment partner at Sayers Group.

Rest appoints Australian equities lead

Chris Drew is the new head of Australian equities at Rest superannuation. Drew move into the role from Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund as investment manager of public markets.

FSC appoints new board members

Justin Delaney has been appointed to the Financial Services Council board. Delaney is Zurich Australia’s chief executive of life and investments. Additionally, Sean West of Macquarie has also been appointed to the board.