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(Pictured: Jessica Donohue)  The field of data and analytics has become one of the top priorities for both fund managers and asset owners, according to a major survey by State Street. And diversification into new asset classes, coupled with the rise of multi-asset investing, is a key driver, especially for the asset owners. The State…

(Pictured: David Simons)  The Future Fund won’t peak in size until 2030 if the Government draws down the maximum it is permitted under the organisation’s specific legislation, but is already managing its liabilities and has set up a strategy unit devoted to the task. Nevertheless, the Future Fund remains the poster child for Australia’s struggling…

(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: 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 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…

(Pictured: Damian Moloney) Frontier Advisors has announced the launch of its Partners Platform technology, which the consulting firm believes moves the practice into a ‘new era of collaborative consulting’. It is a suite of analytical tools and research databases. The Partners Platform was foreshadowed at last year’s Frontier client conference in Melbourne. It was previously used…

(Pictured: Greg Nolan) Care Super has recruited a new CIO to replace the long-standing incumbent, Greg Nolan, who has decided to move to a part-time role with the $8 billion industry fund. Care Super chief executive, Julie Lander, is also expected to announce some other new appointments soon. Suzanne Branton, a senior portfolio manager at Equipsuper…

(Pictured: Mike Davis) Mike Davis, the managing director and country head of Nikko Asset Management in Australia, has resigned after three years at the helm. His tenure involved an integration of the former Tyndall business and an internationalisation of the Nikko business. He will remain at the firm until later in March, assisting in the search…

(Pictured: David Braga) BNP Paribas Securities Services has tapped David Braga from JP Morgan as its new Australia country head, joining Ian Perkins, head of client development, to run the firm in what looks like the busiest year for custodians in Australia and New Zealand. Braga, who is also chair of the Australian Custodial Services Association,…

(Pictured: Andrea Slattery)  A slight name change for an industry association should not, by rights, raise too much interest. With the former SPAA, for instance, which became the SMSF Association last week, the biggest concern seemed to be how you could say the association’s new name reasonably quickly. ‘SPAA’ was a lot easier. But, with…