Despite being a growing reservoir of funds under management, this critically important pool of capital is confronting mounting problems collating and disseminating key data in a timely manner.
The ratings house is pinning its growth strategy on a revamped methodology that increases the emphasis on governance to 25 per cent – a timely move considering APRA’s proposed reforms.
Andrew Lill off to Chicago with Morningstar
Morningstar Investment Management has recruited a new CIO for the Asia Pacific region, based in Sydney, to allow Andrew Lill, who currently holds the position, to take up the role of CIO of the Americas in the new year.
The funds management and advice arm of Morningstar is run by another Australian, Daniel Needham, who is president of the subsidiary and global CIO, based in the Chicago headquarters. He joined Morningstar when it acquired InTech Investment Consulting and was a key person in uniting the various investment offices into a global platform.
Matt Wacher is the new ASIA Pacific CIO but cannot join the firm until late January. Lill, who has overseen the Asia Pacific teams since 2014, will remain in Sydney until the transition has been completed. Both Lill and Wacher will report directly to Needham.
Needham said in a statement last week: “We believe that Matt will be an invaluable addition to the Asia-Pacific team as we build a global investment management business. He comes to us with a strong foundation of risk and principles of portfolio construction that aligns with our investment philosophy. His leadership style is essential Morningstar: inclusive, collaborative, and a focus on integrity,”
Wacher joins Morningstar from Cambooya Pty Ltd, a family office fund in Australia managing private assets, where he was appointed CIO in 2015. Cambooya is controlled by the family of Vincent Fairfax, a former director and large shareholder in the Fairfax Media group. Prior to Cambooya, Wacher served as portfolio manager at Qantas Super.
Additionally, Jody Fitzgerald will be head of institutional portfolio management and solutions for Morningstar Investment Management Australia, from later this month. She was most recently the head of investment product and strategy for Australian Unity Investment. Prior to that, she held other senior management roles at UBS Wealth Management, Deutsche Asset Management, and Skandia. Coincidentally, Skandia actually acquired InTech from its founders before later selling it to Morningstar.
– G.B.
