Governance, Gonski style

The board of the Future Fund has a new way of operating since David Gonski became chair and instituted a number of governance structures from his knowledge in the corporate world, most specifically a committee structure. With vast experience on boards in the corporate, not-for-profit education and arts worlds, he has some clear views on … Read more

Post-retirement asset allocation the big challenge: Russell

Russell Investments has called for a new approach to post retirement investment, advocating a “mass customization” model which can be provided through super funds to create tailored strategies for the large number of people who cannot afford financial planning. Russell this week released the second paper in its Retirement Solutions research series which outlines the … Read more

2013 the year for automating corporate actions

The growth of cloud-based technologies will see many smaller players in the asset management industry move to automate their corporate actions in 2013, according to solutions providers DST and XSP. The two providers have been holding a series of seminars with investment managers on the automation of corporate actions to manage Australia’s $1.82 trillion in … Read more

New appointments at year end

Energy Super has announced the appointment of Investment Manager Daniel Judd and Key Member Relationships Manager Andrew Russell-Clarke. With more than seven years’ experience in investment management and research, Daniel Judd has held a range of diverse positions including analytical roles with a North American fund manager and another Australian superannuation fund.  He has also … Read more

Hedge funds wait for regulatory certainty

Uncertainty around the implementation of the third part of the Federal Government’s Investment Management Regime (IMR) legislation is creating a lack of clarity for the operations of global hedge funds in Australia, according to Ernst & Young’s Antoinette Elias. Speaking to I&T News after the release of a global survey of 100 hedge fund managers, … Read more

“Risk parity” the new black

Wai Lee, chief investment officer and director of research at New York-based Neuberger Berman Risk management in portfolio construction begins with “knowing your universe” and understanding your investment goals, according to an award winning fund manager. Wai Lee, chief investment officer and director of research at New York-based Neuberger Berman, was named winner of the … Read more

New operations chief at Chi-X

Alternative execution platform Chi-X Australia has recruited a former London Stock Exchange executive, Jamie Crank, as head of market operations. Crank, who was most recently head of commercial management, equity and derivatives markets, at the LSE comes to the position only weeks after the inaugural chief of Chi-X Australia, Peter Fowler, announced he was standing … Read more

Technology the key to engagement

The better use of technology and social media could help super funds increase their engagement with members, the ASFA conference in Sydney was told last week. Don Hess, managing director of product services at JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services, said that “data smarter” communications could be harnessed to initiate conversations with members on the “adequacy” … Read more

Future Fund warns on EU regulatory risk

The head of infrastructure at the $80 billion Future Fund has cited regulatory risk in Europe and the United Kingdom as reasons to be wary about infrastructure investment in the region. Dr Raphael Arndt, the Future Fund’s head of infrastructure and timberlands, told the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) conference this week that … Read more

Citibank gets serious about custody and administration

Citibank has flagged an aggressive approach to expanding its custody and administration business in Australia next year after rolling out its global administration platform to offer an integrated solution to the local market. David Russell, the Hong Kong-based managing director and regional head of Citi’s securities and fund services business in the Asia Pacific, was … Read more