Fund People Update

/

REST welcomes head of investment

Lydia Vitalis is the new head of investment product and communications at REST (Retail Employees Superannuation Trust). Vitalis enters the newly-created role after four years at MLC Asset Management, most recently as head of asset management product development, management and strategy. Vitalis has over two decades’ experience in investment management both locally and internationally.

Equity Trustees appoints GM of business development

Johnny Francis is the new general manager of business development and custody for the corporate trustee services business at Equity Trustees Limited. Francis moves into the role from Perpetual as head of sales and relationship management for managed fund services. Francis worked at Perpetual in a variety of roles for seven years.

Spirit Super farewells CEO

Long-serving Leanne Turner has resigned from the chief executive role at Spirit Super after overseeing the merger between Tasplan and MTAA Super into Spirit Super. Jason Murray will take over the reins. Murray is currently chief of member experience at QSuper.

First Sentier welcomes investment head

David Allen is the new global head of investment management at First Sentier Investors. Allen has over 20 years of experience in asset management experience, with the past five years spent at AMP Capital, most recently as global chief investment officer, equities, based in London.

Future Fund appoints chief economist

Toby Johnston has been appointed as chief economist at Future Fund from late January 2022, a newly-created role. Johnston moves into the role from Wellington Management as a global macro strategist for over 17 years.

Money magazine Best of the Best Awards 2022

Money magazine has named the best financial products and services for 2022. Some finance industry winners include:

  • Best Investment Manager: Vanguard Investments Australia for Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF) won the award for best fixed interest ETF.

  • Best ETF Manager: BetaShares ranked as the ETF provider with the most products shortlisted across the different award categories.

  • Best Super Fund: UniSuper performed strongly over the long-term with the balanced option returning 10.5% per annum over the 10 years to the end of September 2021, with the one-year performance to that date at 21.6%.