Don’t price in a recession just yet, says Morningstar CIO

Speaking during a week-long visit to Australia, Dan Kemp, Morningstar’s London-based global chief investment officer, says the biggest challenge most investors face is behavioural because they try to predict the future course of events by relying on a single theme or narrative.

Integrating biodiversity into investment decisions

Greater access to information from companies and associations on geospatial analysis combined with the acceleration and exponential destruction of the ecosystem has prompted biodiversity to becoming a hot topic in making investment decisions. Conexus Financial managing editor Julia Newbould talks to Newton Investment Management global head of sustainable investment Therese Niklasson. Participant: • Therese Niklasson, … Read more

AZ NGA bolsters legal and M&A teams

AZ Next Generation Advisory has appointed Andrew Symes as general counsel and company secretary, and Yasemin Onat as head of mergers and acquisitions. Symes will head AZ NGA’s legal, risk, and corporate governance function. He previously held the same role at Yellow Brick Road. His career has spanned advice, lending, broking, and wealth management, also … Read more

FAAA appoints marketing & communications manager

The Financial Advice Association has appointed Ben Rutherford as marketing and communications manager. Rutherford will be responsible for FAAA marketing and communications activity and promoting awareness and understanding of the value of financial advice amongst consumers and adjacent professions. He will also build awareness of the Certified Financial Planner designation among the financial planning community … Read more

Trustees ‘can’t ignore’ insurance claims handling: Chant West

Just one in two superannuation trustees have modernised their group insurance claims handling processes, actuary Ian Fryer of Chant West estimates. The lag puts them at risk of falling short of the Albanese government and corporate regulator’s expectations on member engagement.

AustralianSuper pinches Paula Benson from IFM

AustralianSuper has appointed Paula Benson as chief officer of strategy and corporate affairs. She has worked in funds management, banking, resources, healthcare and infrastructure, and is as a senior corporate affairs executive and non-executive director.  Benson was recently the global head of marketing, brand, and communications at IFM Investors. Prior to this, she was the … Read more

Ignition nabs Mason Stevens CTO

Ignition Advice has appointed Masons Stevens chief technology officer Enda Mahoney to lead the digital advice firm’s platform and product division. In addition to his previous role at Mason Stevens, he has held senior leadership positions in fintech and institutional firms, including SS&C, Bravura, Blackrock Solutions, Macquarie Bank, Colonial First State, and BT Financial Group. … Read more

The buy-now, pay-later member conundrum that super funds will struggle to solve

Consolidation today to boost member numbers and drive down costs in accumulation phase could be setting up funds for a big problem tomorrow when those same members move into retirement or need services from their fund.