Harbour Asset Management has netted a new investment operations analyst with the appointment of Declan McKeefry.
Currently serving as client services manager for Wellington-based Implemented Investment Solutions (IIS), McKeefry takes up his new position on April 18.
IIS chief, Anthony Edmonds, said the Harbour role offered McKeefry the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge attained during his two years with the firm.
Edmonds said while his departure would be a loss for IIS, McKeefry would benefit from experiencing the industry from the other side of the table.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for him to broaden his expertise within the investment management industry,” he said. “When Declan joined us two years ago he had virtually no knowledge of the investment business but showed an enthusiasm to learn as well as hands-on approach to the role.”
Edmonds said the industry needed to keep attracting younger talent to the industry with graduate programs and clear career development paths.
IIS would look to employ a new graduate to replace McKeefry, he said.
McKeefry said his new role at Harbour covered both fixed interest and equities.
“I’ll be getting exposure to direct front-office funds management rather than the client services side of the business I’ve learnt at IIS,” he said.
IIS markets the range of Russell Investments retail funds in New Zealand with, garnering over $1 billion under management in its first four years of operation. Meanwhile, Harbour boasts about $2.25 billion in funds under management across Australasian equities and fixed income.
McKeefrey is working towards CFA level two after completing the first component of the investment professional designation last year.