The $300 billion profit-to-member fund has linked up with Oxford Properties for a portfolio of high-quality European industrial and logistics assets that it wants to expand significantly over the next three to five years.
Australia’s megafunds are looking to international asset owners for ideas on how to invest what will soon be trillions in retirement savings. But banks – with their sharp focus on efficient implementation and balance sheet management – could also be a source of inspiration.
First Sentier boosts firepower for overseas growth
First Sentier, the former Colonial First State Global Asset Management, has strengthened its international management with the creation of several senior global roles. This follows the acquisition of the manager by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group last year.
The business, under Mark Steinberg, the chief executive, and Yutaka Kawakami, the deputy chief executive, has established a new ‘executive committee’ as a complementary forum to its existing ‘executive leadership team’. In addition to the third member of the executive committee, Liz Hastilow, who has also assumed a wider role beyond chief legal and risk officer, First Sentier has appointed:
- Perry Clausen as global chief investment officer across the firm’s various offices
- Harry Moore, as global head of distribution. He was previously managing director in charge of distribution for Australia and New Zealand, responsible for A$113 billion of its total of A$201 billion, as at March 31, and
- Chris Turpin, as global director of corporate development.
Moore will be moving to London for his new role and Hastilow will take over his previous Australia and NZ managing director role as well as her legal and risk oversight.
No changes have been made to any of the investment teams, investment philosophies or processes. All of the investment capabilities will maintain current levels of investment autonomy, First Sentier said in a statement.
Moore said: “While each region has its differences, there are benefits to a global client relationship and sales approach. Through the support of a strong, experienced team of sales professionals a global approach will help us better understand and communicate themes in each region that may impact other areas.”
In Asia, Lauren Prendiville has been promoted to head of distribution, for South East Asia and Middle East. In Australia, Peter Heine is the new head of institutional southern region, and Jeannene O’Day is the new head of institutional northern region.
– G.B.
