Jim Christensen is leaving Telstra Super to return to the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) in Brisbane.
Christensen, who was nominated the chief investment officer of the year in the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards in May, has commuted between Melbourne and Brisbane during his time at Telstra Super and has sought a role in Brisbane to enable him to spend more time with his family.
He will join QIC in the new year as the managing director of global multi-asset; in the meantime, Telstra Super has begun a search for a new chief investment officer.
Chris Davies, chief executive of Telstra Super, said: “Jim leaves the fund in a great position with an extremely strong investment team built over his tenure. The team will continue to manage our funds following the same strategies that have made our fund so successful. We wish Jim all the best and thank him for his huge contribution to Telstra Super over the last six years.”
Christensen oversees a team of around 20 employees, who manage $5 billion of its overall $17 billion of assets internally.
Telstra Super’s growth fund, which is the default for members under the age of 45 years, saw returns of 14.28 per cent over the year to the end of April, 15.07 per cent over three years and 10.19 per cent over five years.
Christensen attributes his fund’s success to a drive to maintain a top quartile status, to innovate on strategy and to innovate on product.
Before his investment leadership position at Telstra Super, Christensen was the managing director of QIC’s active management division where he led a team that delivered strong returns for a number of long-standing clients.
Christensen’s appointment has been part of a planned succession process that will enable Adriaan Ryder, chief investment officer of QIC, to focus on strategic level investment advice and relationships with the Queensland government and investment opportunities, and relationships, across the global sovereign wealth fund and public fund community. These are seen as key areas critical to the strategy and direction of QIC and its clients.
“With his experience and expertise, it will be extremely beneficial for QIC to have Adriaan concentrate on these key areas moving forward” said Damien Frawley, chief executive of QIC.