Appointments

Australia’s biggest super fund has sharpened its focus on offshore markets with the appointment of a new head of international and private equity operating out of its London office.

The asset consultant has rounded out its real assets and private markets research with two new appointments as both areas grow in importance to the institutional investors it services.

The chief investment officer of New Zealand’s largest non-government fund manager will leave at the end of this year after it revealed new potential arrangements with Mercer and BlackRock.

The $250 billion industry fund has hunted two new heads for its investment team while it chips away at a digital transformation project that will support its move to internalise 50 per cent of assets.

The appointment of industry veteran Cathy Hales, who started in the newly created role on Monday, will support Mercer’s growth strategy across investments and retirement in the Pacific region, the company said. Her remit will include the $63 billion Mercer Super Trust.

Jessica Donohue has a 20-year pedigree with the asset servicing and fund management firm, with leadership roles in its asset owner, investment services and academia segments. She replaces retiring Rick Lacaille as head of global investment insights, sustainability and impact.

AustralianSuper’s appointment of a new deputy CIO with the lion’s share of responsibility for its overseas investments demonstrates the growing importance of international diversification for the country’s biggest funds.

Kristian Fok has been appointed CEO of Cbus following the departure of Justin Arter and as the fund launches a new five-year investment strategy that will see it in-house another 12 per cent of its assets under management.

Martin Fahy has stepped down as CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) after seven years at the helm where he played a “pivotal role” in addressing the policy and regulatory changes of the period.

Specialist investment and wealth management consulting firm KONU has boosted its ranks with the addition of the former chief operating officer of AMP Capital Public Markets.

Long-time NZ Superannuation Fund (NZS) chief Matt Whineray will step down in a planned pre-Christmas exit after more than a decade at the organisation.

As the pace of superannuation consolidation slows, Cbus CEO Justin Arter will step down and the fund he’s run since 2020 will embark on a new growth plan.