AMP Capital has made a raft of appointments across its Australian funds management business.
Last week, the investment arm of the Australasian financial services conglomerate named Darren Beesley to a newly-created role as portfolio manager in its multi-asset group.
Beesley has been charged with building and managing a new range of AMP Capital retirement funds due for release later this year.
“He will also assume responsibility for a number of liability-driven investments and report to AMP Capital multi-asset group head of portfolio management Debbie Alliston,” an AMP Capital release says.
Peter Veerhart, head of AMP Capital NZ multi-asset group, said Beesley’s appointment reflected growing demand for the service on both sides of the Tasman.
Veerhart said the AMP NZ multi-asset funds were based on input from the Australian headquarters but with a strong local overlay.
“We need to have a say on the multi-asset products from the view of New Zealand investors,” he said.
The Wellington-based NZ multi-asset group has a team of six, the group’s website says.
Multi-asset funds invest across a broad mix of underlying assets while giving managers considerable discretion to adjust allocations.
Aside from Beesley, AMP Capital has also bolstered its property team recently, confirming Louise Mason as chief operating officer and appointing Luke Briscoe in as head of office and industrial.
Briscoe steps into a role previously occupied by Mason, who had been serving as acting COO.
Prior to joining AMP Capital, Briscoe was Charter Hall head of asset management for office.
Mason and Briscoe report to Carmel Hourigan, who secured the position of AMP Capital global head of property last year.
“Both Louise and Luke are highly experienced and talented property professionals, who are focused on improving the portfolio and providing compelling investment opportunities,” Hourigan said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has named Tony Barber as head of the Australian and NZ business.
Barber headed the Australasian wing of global insurance broker Willis prior to its merger with consulting firm Towers Watson last year.
He joined Willis in 1998 after launching his insurance career with New Zealand Insurance 12 years previously. From 2009 until 2012, Barber enjoyed a brief sojourn with Willis’ global rival, Aon.
According to a WTW release, Barber would lead a combined Australasian staff of 700.
He said WTW would offer clients an “integrated solution”.
“I am honoured to be leading my colleagues in Australia and New Zealand as we work to unlock our combined knowledge and value for the benefit of all our clients, both locally and globally,” Barber said in a statement.
Under its previous banner, Willis had offices in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Auckland-based actuarial consulting firm, Melville Jessup Weaver (MJW), is the NZ “alliance partner” of Towers Watson.