Former Funds SA CEO to lead NZ Super
Jo Townsend has been appointed chief executive of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, the Crown entity that manages the NZ$70 billion ($64 billion) sovereign fund NZ Super.
Super funds’ boardroom influence is only just beginning
Superannuation industry executives have been quick to clear up they aren’t lobbying for board seats on companies they own, after NAB chair Phil Chronican questioned the independence of such a move. But the reality is some funds are already quietly appointing proxies and this debate has only just begun.
Cost of emissions abatement takes pole position on path to net zero
When it comes to figuring out how a company will get to net zero, more investors are making a distinction between emissions that are hard to abate, and emissions that are expensive to abate. During the Fiduciary Investors Symposium in Singapore earlier this month, Cbus CEO Kristian Fok appeared alongside Bridgewater’s Carsten Stendevad and Wilhelm Mohn of Norway’s giant sovereign fund, addressing the big sustainability questions asset owners need to answer.
Why quant investing is having a renaissance with asset owners
Quantitative investing, a data-based approach to generating alpha by exploiting human biases, is experiencing an uptick in interest following a period sometimes dubbed “the quant winter” between 2018 and 2020. Now considered an attractive middle-ground between passive and active management, Robeco’s Netherlands-based head of quantitative investing and research, Weili Zhou, explains how the method is being re-embraced by global pensions and sovereigns.
UniSuper names head of fixed interest
UniSuper has appointed Mathew McCrum as its head of fixed interest.
Adviser track record essential for HNW women
Half of high net worth (HNW) women listed a “range of different investment options” as a top priority when engaging with a financial adviser compared to 34 per cent of men, according to research from JBWere.
Perpetual enlists Pendal’s front office manager
Perpetual has appointed State Street’s service company Charles River to manage the front office operations for its Australian asset management business.
Investment Magazine names new editor, appointments
Award-winning journalist, broadcaster and financial literacy advocate Sue Lannin has been appointed Editor of Investment Magazine, commencing next month. After 20 years at the ABC, Lannin is eager to apply her decades of reportage across financial markets, the economy, science and energy to the Australian institutional investor community, believing the rise and rise of superannuation funds is among the biggest stories in business.
Total portfolio approach taxing but rewarding: Future Fund CIO
Not every asset owner can explore the benefits of a total portfolio approach due to the strain it puts on an investment team’s efficiency. But for those that can afford the luxury, it can bring both rewarding portfolio diversification and organisational culture, according to Future Fund chief investment officer Ben Samild, who says the method “brings joy” to his job.
Northern Trust appoints international enterprise client solutions head
Northern Trust has appointed Gary Paulin to the newly-created role of head of international enterprise client solutions.
Super trustees have ‘the toughest gig’ in governance: ASIC chair
ASIC chair Joe Longo has acknowledged that directors of superannuation trustees have “the toughest gig” as far as board duties go, with funds’ exceptionally complex governance needs surpassing those of corporate Australia. But still, he said it’s only right that directors be held to “very high standards” when they are dealing with Australians’ precious retirement savings.
Investors ease up on climate change pressure, say company directors
Australian company directors no longer feel as much pressure from investors, lenders and other stakeholders to improve climate change governance. In fact, an AICD survey suggests firms are actually doing less work than previously to integrate climate risk into their frameworks.
