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(Pictured: Frank Casarotti)  Magellan Asset Management seeded its new-style Exchange Traded Product (ETP), a listed-but-open-ended active global equities fund, with $50 million and enjoyed a net inflow of $13 million from investors on day one. Judging by the response, the fund is set to me emulated by many others. Magellan started work on the product…

(Pictured: Brendan O’Farrell) by Patrick Liddy My daughter, having recently joined the workforce, was given choice of super funds with a recommendation to go with one of the big well-known industry funds. She is a university student so not much will be going in by way of contributions for some time. She asked my advice. I’m…

(Pictured: Barry McInerney) Bank of Montreal’s asset management business, which opened a Sydney office in 2013, may well be the fastest growing fund management firm in the world. Barry McInerney, co-chief executive in charge of asset management outside Canada, outlined some of his plans for the region. BOM Global Asset Management has expanded its funds under…

(Pictured: Brian Keogh) Thomas Murray IDS, the specialist international custody consultant, has re-established a Melbourne office with the recruitment of two experienced executives formerly from NAB and will part company with Peter Katz, who has represented the firm for the past five years from his base in Wellington, New Zealand. Brian Keogh and Adam Zani will…

(Pictured: Jo Townsend) Jo Townsend, the general manager, investments, at REST will become the new chief executive of Funds SA after a search, replacing the CFO, John Piteo, who had been acting in the top job since Richard Smith retired in January. For REST, Townsend’s departure in April will be the second loss of a senior…

(Pictured: Sam Hallinan) Sam Hallinan will become the new chief executive of Nikko Asset Management in Australia following the resignation of Mike Davis last month. Hallinan was most recently general manager of investment management at NAB Asset Management and head of one of its affiliates, Antares Capital Partners. He previously spent six years at MLC. The…

Despite anecdotal evidence of a resurgence of interest in Australian venture capital, particularly in the ‘fintech’ field, the overall private equity and venture market in Australia continued its downward path last year, according to figures to be discussed at a conference this week. The producers of the annual Asian Venture Capital Journal (AVCJ) Conference, taking…

(Pictured: Peter Baker) Mercer Sentinel is looking to expand its capabilities in workflows among super funds and other clients, targeting inefficiencies between front, middle and back-office systems and procedures. Peter Baker, who joined the firm as Australia and New Zealand head late last year, has already recruited a senior consultant. Baker, who joined from BNP Paribas…

(Pictured: Warren Chant and Andrea West) Fees, retirement incomes and insurance are dominant issues for big super funds and other fiduciary investors. They are the themes backgrounding selection of the annual Chant West superannuation and pension fund award winners, to be presented at a black-tie dinner in Sydney on May 6. The third annual awards cover…

(Pictured: Peter Costello) It’s funny how likable politicians become after they leave office. Take Peter Costello. Even though he is still in public life, as chair of the Future Fund no less, his charm has now surpassed his smugness. He is even self-deprecating. Helped by interviewer Peter Switzer, Costello took about 400 people on an entertaining…