New specialists to provide focused resources for industry and government super funds, and financial institutions (non-super clients)
Russell Investments today announced a number of strategic appointments dedicated to supporting the specific needs of industry and government super fund clients and financial institutions (non-super clients).
Russell has a broad range of solutions in consulting, investment management including alternatives, implementation services, administration and indexes. Russell’s CEO for Australia and New Zealand, Chris Corneil, said the breadth of the firm’s capabilities and subsequent problem solving skills was resonating with a much broader range of customers.
“We are already working with many clients in the government and industry fund segments as well as a broad range of non-super clients such as charities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Russell’s broad set of capabilities is unique in the Australian market providing a powerful platform for us to focus on solving the complex problems of a very diverse range of super and non-super clients. By providing dedicated resources to each of these different client segments we intend to strengthen our position even further,” he said.
Russell bolsters institutional team to meet demand
Russell has hired two new specialists who will be directly responsible for growing and servicing industry and government super funds and financial institution clients.
Mark Plimley has been appointed as senior business development manager – financial institutions, a newly created role within Russell’s institutional sales team headed by Chris Briant. Mr Plimley joins Russell from UBS Asset Management where he was previously Director, Consultant Relations Manager.
Divyesh Bhana, current BNP Paribas Securities Services relationship manager, has also been appointed as consultant relationship manager at Russell Investments. Mr Bhana will be responsible for managing Russell’s relationship with industry ‘influencers’ to ensure that at all times, the influencers are completely aware of Russell’s full and growing capabilities, thus supporting continued growth of Russell’s institutional business in Australia.
Existing Russell senior business development manager Ty Thurgood will be responsible for working with all noncorporate super funds (which includes industry funds, government funds and not-for profit super funds).
“Our focus is to help solve the complex problems facing our clients. We have the solutions and expertise to overcome the challenges we know these industry segments are facing. This includes efficiency and after-tax issues for institutional and government superfunds in a post-Cooper world and how insurance companies and charities can generate more income from their investments,” he said.
Mr Corneil added Russell was also actively recruiting for a senior business development manager to drive further growth within the firm’s $12 billion AUM corporate superannuation business.
“We are fully committed to corporate super, it’s the backbone of our business and an area we will continue to focus on. We are also always looking at ways in which we can strengthen the reach of our solutions to address the specific challenges facing other industry groups,” he said.