HESTA, the $50 billion superannuation fund for health care professionals has appointed Gerard Brown as head of investment execution. Brown joins the $50 billion superannuation fund for health care professionals from BNP Paribas.

The role will essentially involve overseeing middle and back-office functions of the investment team and bolstering the  partnership between execution and investment management to strengthen the fund’s internal investment team.

HESTA CIO, Sonya Sawtell-Rickson, said: “Gerard has extensive experience and knowledge in investment operations and investment systems, which will boost our internal asset management capability.” She added that Brown will be responsible for designing and implementing a fit-for-purpose investment operating platform and framework, with a strong focus on internal asset management capabilities.

“We’re looking at significant system implementations in the coming years. This role focuses on supporting effective investment execution of the Fund’s current and future multi-asset class investment management activities,” she said.

Brown brings 30 years’ experience in financial services to the position, having led large global cross functional operating teams. He has also been responsible for significant transformational projects involving redesigning investment operating models and executing complex technology solutions.

The new head of investment execution has a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Business and Accounting from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a CPA, a Fellow of FINSIA and a member of the

Starting work at the end of July, Brown will replace Rob Fowler who is retiring from the fund.

“Rob has made an enormous contribution to our members, initially as CIO for more than a decade and more recently overseeing our investment execution and responsible investment activities,” Sawtell-Rickson said.

“During this time he has significantly developed the investment execution capability at HESTA, to support the continued delivery of strong, competitive, long-term returns for our members.”