Following a review of its distribution and business development team, Australian Unity Investments (AUI) has made several promotions, including the creation of new positions.
Damen Purcell, AUI’s head of retail distribution, said the changes will allow AUI to further build and expand its adviser and dealer group relationships at a time when confidence is returning to the retail investment market.
“We are seeing a number of changes in the financial advice community as a result of the growing confidence amongst investors and changes in the way they seek to invest, which means that now is the ideal time to enhance the capabilities and resources we offer customers.
“In addition, the strong growth in certain segments of the market, such as family offices, means there has been a change in the kind of information and structures that some adviser groups require from fund managers, which we are well-placed to provide,” he said.
AUI has created three Key Account Manager roles, promoting Theone Star, Huw O’Grady and Allyce Mitchell to the positions. All three will report to Mr Purcell.
Ms Star, previously national account manager, will be responsible for multi-managers, private banks and brokers, family offices and some NSW-based institutions. She joined AUI in 2005 and has held a number of business development roles in the financial services industry including at Bridges Financial Services and Colonial Margin Lending.
Mr O’Grady will look after major national accounts. He was previously AUI’s regional manager for Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Before joining AUI, Mr O’Grady was in business development roles at various firms, including Orchard, Asgard, Ord Minnett and Macquarie Bank in Melbourne, and Morgan Stanley in London.
Ms Mitchell will be responsible for managing AUI’s platform relationships. She has held a number of business development roles at AUI since joining the business in 2009, and was most recently national account support manager.
As a result of these changes, Nick Everitt has been promoted to business development manager VIC/SA/WA. Mr Everitt was previously business development associate, providing sales support to the entire AUI team.