BT Investment Management is down to two candidates in its search to replace departed chief executive Dirk Morris, but internal and local aspirants won’t be pleased to find out who they are.

Egon Zehnder International has reportedly lived up to the third word in its name, arriving at a shortlist of two offshore-based candidates for the consideration of BTIM’s board, whose chair Brian Scullin has also acted as CEO since Morris’ June departure.

BTIM would not comment yesterday, a spokesperson citing the release of its annual results at the end of this month. It is understood the business is keen to have a name to announce at its December annual general meeting.

Whether either of the two shortlisted candidates are expatriate Australians is not known. It is understood that several potential locally-based candidates, including displaced chief executives, have been spoken to regarding the position.

It is understood the BTIM board wants somebody with hands-on funds management experience to run the business.