Interviews

Don Sharp… ‘obstacles to managed accounts growth being removed’ At an age when most of his friends and associates are playing golf, cruising and looking after grandchildren, financial services stalwart Don Sharp, a veteran of planning dealer groups in Australia, is helping to build another business. Leng Ohlsson writes: Successfully executing an IPO is a…

Michael Loizou… ‘clients stick around because they trust us to help them’ Experienced financial planners usually develop their own network of advisors, for technical advice, business advice, general advice and just, really, to compare notes. According to Michael Loizou, the founder and principal of Capital Results in Sydney, it’s all about learning. He spoke with…

Andrew Lill… ‘the core of our process is really dynamic asset allocation’ We talk a lot about culture in the funds management industry. Apart from money, it’s what attracts people to work at an organization, be it a funds management firm, a super fund, dealer group or asset consultant. For Andrew Lill, the newish chief…

Tony Lally, the former chief executive of the big Sunsuper industry fund, has witnessed the evolution of the global pensions industry over a period of 40 years, starting in his native Ireland in 1974. After 30 years in Australian superannuation he is now transitioning to take on board positions, both within the industry and in…

Risk management is deeply ingrained in David Iverson, head of asset allocation at the A$20 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Writing a book about it, however, proved to be more of an act of faith. David Chaplin finds out why. In the beginning there was the statement of investment beliefs. Or there should have been, according…

Jo Townsend … “REST remains a firm believer in active management” REST Industry Super, one of Australia’s largest super funds, has also been a top performing fund in the SuperRatings analyses for the past several years. Jo Townsend, the fund’s general manager of investments, spoke to the ratings agency for this report. Townsend thinks that…

Craig Mercer, a senior investment consultant at Towers Watson, recently transferred from the UK to Australia to take up the role of heading up the firm’s hedge fund research and advice. His goal: “I want us to be regarded as the leading alternatives consultant in the region.” He spoke with Greg Bright about building portfolios…

Grahame Evans… ‘financial advice is not about selecting funds managers and finding the next best thing’ Former PIS dealer group managing director, Grahame Evans, is transforming the advice process at his new firm, GPS Wealth. In less than 18 months, GPS Wealth has attracted more than 50 experienced advisors to join, representing 32 different practices. Leng…

Ben Thornley… ‘Many investors still have a black and white mindset’ With the introduction of ‘social bonds’ and a range of other initiatives backed by a combination of governments and private money, the notion of ‘impact investing’ is creating increasing interest among super funds in Australia and other big investors around the world. Ben Thornley,…

Joanna Davison… ‘FEAL has maintained a level of credibility’ Joanna Davison, the new chief executive of the Fund Executives Association Ltd has a lot of experience at senior levels in funds management, both in Australia and her native UK. But perhaps it’s her unusual qualification for a career in the city which may stand her…

David Braga … ‘I don’t think we’re at the end of the regulatory change program’ The Australian Custodial Services Association, which turns 20 years old this year, is a body whose importance in the superannuation and funds management industries has soared since the global financial crisis. It is also the only organisation of its type…

Damian Graham … ‘we needed to invest differently and think more about downside risk’ State Super Financial Services, which has more than $13 billion in funds under management on behalf of 175 financial planners and 55,000 clients, has continued to restructure its portfolios and adopted a new set of investment beliefs and planning philosophy. Greg…