Ray King’s Sovereign Investment Research has replenished its ranks with two well known institutional investment figures.

Following the departure of Ross Barry late last year, King has hired Helen Murdoch and John Peterson to what he said would become full-time roles with the firm.  

Murdoch has worked as a Business Development and Client Service executive for BT Funds Management (1998-2002), Principal Global Advisors (2002-2004) and most recently Russell Investment Group. King said Murdoch would be involved in all facets of the business including manager research and analysis of market opportunity.

John Peterson’s responsibilities at Sovereign cover optimal investment structures, manager research and analysis of market opportunities, King said.  

Peterson has extensive experience in the Australian financial industry, having joined the Reserve Bank in 1979. In 1983 he joined Bankers Trust Australia where he was one of the founders of the derivatives markets in Australia and spent seven years as a member of BT Funds Management’s Investment Committee responsible for alternative investments, risk management and investment consulting.   

He was subsequently Head of Investment Management for the Commonwealth Bank’s investment business and Head of Asset Consulting for van Eyk.   Most recently he was Chief Investment Officer and Chief Risk Officer for the listed hedge fund of fund business, Everest Financial Group.

In addition to his work with Sovereign, Peteson will be working in conjunction with his wife’s psychology practice developing a program to assist employers and staff to work more effectively in businesses where key employees have characteristics of Asperger’s.