Since the emergence of “Modern Portfolio Theory” and the “Capital Asset Pricing Model” in the late 1960s, institutional investors have taken a quantitatively driven approach to portfolio construction, looking to create portfolio diversification and obtain better risk-adjusted returns by balancing their asset-class exposures. This journey has seen several important advancements in thinking about how to optimally achieve desired results.
Funds that want to take the total portfolio approach first need to get the total portfolio view. To do that they not only need data – and lots of it – but a rock-solid understanding of exactly how they’re going to use it.
UniSuper appoints chief risk officer
The $85 billion industry fund for the higher education and research sector has finally filled the position of chief risk officer with the appointment of Andrew Raftis after Ruby Yadav resigned in December 2019.
Raftis has over 20 years in compliance roles internationally including chief risk officer at AXA Asia Pacific, chief internal auditor of AXA Americas, chief compliance officer at AIG Asia Pacific and functional audit director and deputy head of global audit at Zurich.
He returned to Melbourne in 2018 and has worked on a number of boards including AMP Employer Sponsored Superannuation Plan Policy Committee. He is a member of governance, audit and risk committee at Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and director and treasurer of Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network.
He has strong leadership experience delivering major projects and initiatives across complex operating environments with the ability to integrate disciplines and create innovative frameworks, models and processes.
Kevin O’Sullivan, chief executive officer at UniSuper says: “I’m delighted to welcome Andrew to UniSuper. He brings with him a wealth of international and domestic risk management and assurance experience; and a track record for developing leading edge best practices in risk, compliance and control functions. He will be a valuable asset to the team.”
Raftis says he is thrilled to be joining a fund with a strong reputation for delivering excellent investment performance while also being member focussed.
He will commence the role on 29 June.
