AustralianSuper

The global head of real assets at Australian’s biggest super fund has jumped to Dexus to help it achieve its ambitions of becoming a chunky infrastructure and alternatives player.

Sweeping technological change can upset the best laid plans of big institutional investors. But the way they deal with it is ad hoc, “hazardous” and distorts how they think a portfolio should behave.

Australia’s biggest super fund has slashed the headcount in its Melbourne-based global equities team as it prepares to build out a new crew in its rapidly expanding London office.

Australia’s biggest super fund is set to increase its investment in the UK to around $35 billion by 2030 and expand its already 100-strong on the ground presence in Kings Cross.

Australia’s largest super fund thinks its three million members will be better off with a single “account for life” and will soon bring a longevity risk solution to market to help them conquer fear of running out.

As the fund contemplates managing $700 billion by 2030 it’s looking for new ways to invest with a global portfolio mindset and chase hot assets in local markets to drive value creation for its members.

More regulatory pressure on valuation practices means big funds run the risk of missing out on attractive deals and members could face higher costs. But with Australia now at the forefront of defined contribution pensions globally, should GPs get with the program?

ASIC has launched civil proceedings against Australia’s biggest super fund over allegations it failed to consolidate the accounts of 90,000 members and continued to charge them fees.

Size, internalisation and globalisation are now front of mind for every large fund in Australia – but every fund approaches them differently, and there’s little agreement on the benefits of the new offshore push.

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.