Hacopian Hacopian

Natixis Investment Managers Australia (Natixis IM) has announced the appointment of Rommel Hacopian to the role of Head of Wholesale Distribution, strengthening its focus on growing the intermediary market as the firm executes its next phase of growth.  Natixis IM have an ambitious product development roadmap over the next few years, launching new active ETFs and funds and bringing new affiliates to the Australian market.

Based in Sydney, and reporting to Head of Australia and New Zealand, Mr Danny King, Mr Hacopian will lead Natixis IM’s wholesale relationships. The role will focus on deepening existing relationships and expanding access to funds managed by the firm’s network of affiliated investment managers.

Mr Hacopian’s appointment supports the growing demand from Australian wholesale investors and intermediaries for broader access to specialist global investment capabilities, as they seek to build more diversified and resilient portfolios.

Danny King, Natixis IM’s Head of Australia and New Zealand, said, “Rommel is the ideal person to lead our wholesale client relationships and provide Australian investors with access to best-in-class active investment strategies through our global network of affiliated investment managers. Natixis IM has been growing rapidly in Australia over the past 3 years since entering the wholesale market, and Rommel’s deep expertise and relationships across the breadth of the wholesale channel will help more of our clients understand and access the depth of our offering.”

Rommel Hacopian, Head of Wholesale Distribution, Natixis IM said, “I’m excited to join the Natixis IM team and work closely with our clients to deliver our investment solutions and partnership capabilities. Today’s wholesale client is highly sophisticated, navigating ever changing markets conditions and operating in a complex regulatory environment with deep fiduciary obligations. What draws me to Natixis IM is the combination of the successful, quality affiliated investment managers, underpinned by the operational excellence required to support our clients across their investment and governance needs.”

Mr Hacopian brings over three decades of experience to Natixis IM. Most recently, he was Head of Intermediary at Yarra Capital Management.

The post Natixis Investment Managers flags growth in fund offering with Australian Head of Wholesale appointment appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Five factors reshaping Australia’s financial advice industry.

Australia’s financial advice sector is entering a period of significant disruption. Against a fragile macroeconomic backdrop marked by conflict in the Middle East, global energy shocks, geopolitical realignment and interest rate uncertainty, five key forces are set to reshape Australia’s financial advice industry: keeping clients invested through volatility, finding efficiencies throughAI, digitalisation, an ageing client base and an ageing adviser workforce.

New research from Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM), conducted in collaboration with CoreData, surveyed 2,950 financial professionals across 23 countries, including Australia, to examine the challenges advisers are facing, evolving client needs, and how firms are adapting to compete and grow.

Despite these pressures, advisers remain optimistic. Australian advice businesses reported AUM growth of 14.4% over the past year and expect a further 13.8% in the year ahead. But growth is no longer driven by investment performance alone – advisers must alsodemonstrate value beyond asset allocation.

Danny King, Natixis IM’s Head of Australia and New Zealand, said: “Advisers are operating in a period of rapid change, asregulation, technology, evolving client expectations and demographic shifts converge. What is clear is that disruption is not a threat to the value advisers provide, but a catalyst for evolution.

“In today’s uncertain economic environment, working with an adviser is one of the best ways Australians can stay on track to achieve their financial goals. To succeed in the years ahead, advisers will need to show the value they add beyond asset allocation. More than ever, their ability to guide clients through volatility and keep them focused on long-term outcomes will be critical.”

Five factors reshaping Australia’s financial advice industry

1. Adapting to a changing client base

Australian advice books remain heavily skewed towards older clients. Baby Boomers (or older) account for more than half (52.7%) of clients, while younger investors remain underrepresented, with Millennials making up 12.5% and Generation Z just 2.4%, compared with 25.7% and 11% globally. As older clients move from accumulation to drawdown, advisers know they need new strategies to attract younger investors. Around 34% are integrating digital tools into their offering, more than half (53%) are adding AI capabilities to their practice, and 28% are using social media to reach younger audiences.

2. Younger clients. Younger advisers

The industry is also facing its own demographic shift, with an ageing adviser population raising succession and talent concerns. In Australia, only 42% of advisers aged 55 and over have a documented succession plan, while 28% say their firm is struggling to hire younger advisers. Despite this, only 26% of Australian advisers under the age of 55 have a documented succession plan in place to take over a retiring adviser’s business, compared with 50% globally. At the same time, the transition presents an opportunity, with 88% of advisers viewing the wave of retirements as a chance to grow assets. Realising that opportunity, however, will depend on effective succession planning, talent development and continuity for clients during periods of change.

3. Digitalisation is changing advisers’ competition base

While AI may strengthen adviser capabilities, increasingly sophisticated digital tools are also emerging as a competitive threat. Today, 71% of Australian advisers still view other advisers as their primary competition. Over the next five years, however, that is expected to shift, with 49% predicting self-directed investment tools and AI will become their biggest competitors. The changereflects evolving investor preferences, particularly among younger cohorts who are more comfortable with digital-first advice models.Even so, capability gaps remain, with 63% of advisers acknowledging they lack the digital capabilities needed to compete effectively.

4.  Finding opportunities and efficiencies in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Of all the disruptions facing advisers, artificial intelligence may have the greatest impact on both client portfolios and advisory practices. Few advisers expect AI-driven market momentum to fade anytime soon. In fact, more than four in five (82%) believe the AI trade still has a long way to run, while 73% think AI has the potential to shape markets for the next 20 years.

Within their own businesses, AI adoption is also accelerating, with 67% of advisers already using the technology in their practice. Overall, 85% say AI can free up more time to spend with clients, while 74% are using it to write emails, take meeting notes and distribute educational materials.

However, 65% say integrating AI into existing workflows has been more challenging than expected.

5. Keeping clients invested in uncertain times

As advisers respond to the current pace of change, retaining existing assets is becoming a central challenge. In Australia, 65% of advisers say clients are holding more cash in response to uncertainty, reflecting heightened sensitivity to geopolitical risks and market volatility. This environment is also driving behavioural missteps: 77% say investors are reacting emotionally to headlines, 65% say clients are trying to time the market or chase returns, and 47% point to unrealistic return expectations.

With 84% of advisers identifying geopolitical uncertainty as a major risk, keeping clients invested through periods of volatility is becoming a critical lever for maintaining and growing assets under management.

The post Disruption on the horizon, five factors reshaping Australia’s financial advice industry, finds Natixis Investment Managers  appeared first on AdviserVoice.

In his new role, King will be responsible for growing and elevating Natixis IM’s business and brand in Australia. He will oversee distribution and sales strategy for the institutional and wholesale market and work closely with Natixis IM’s range of affiliate managers to deliver actively managed solutions for clients. King will report to Fabrice Chemouny, Head of International Distribution, Natixis IM. He succeeds Louise Watson who had held the role since 2018.

As COO for Australia, Whyte will be responsible for operational and client services for the region and will report to both Danny King and Achraf Husaini, COO for Natixis IM Asia Pacific.

King joined Natixis IM in 2020 as Head of Institutional Sales, Australia and has been instrumental in developing and expanding the firm’s institutional franchise and client base alongside its affiliate investment managers.  Whyte joined in 2014 as Head of Client Service and Operations for Australia and New Zealand and has extensive knowledge of the region’s clients, support functions and operating model.

Fabrice Chemouny said: “I am delighted to appoint both Danny and Babara to their new roles, a move that reflects their combined leadership and commitment to our clients at Natixis IM. Danny’s understanding of our business over the last six years will undoubtedly serve him well as he undertakes his expanded role.  Barbara’s understanding of our client and operational needs will be instrumental in supporting Danny in the years to come. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Louise Watson for her outstanding contribution to the business.  Under her leadership we have expanded our wholesale business, increased the diversification of our affiliate offering and launched a private equity evergreen fund. I wish her all the best in her new role.”

Since opening its office in Australia, Natixis IM has grown assets under management (AUM) by over 50% and in 2017 acquired local Australian equites manager IML. Through this initiative Natixis IM has been able to expand into the wholesale and retail channels, growing its client base to around 3000 advice businesses which are invested in Natixis IM’s affiliate retail funds across Australia and New Zealand.

The post Natixis Investment Managers promotes Danny King to Head of Australia and Barbara Whyte to Chief Operating Officer, Australia appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Mai Platts

Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM), one of the world’s largest asset managers, has today announced the appointment of Mai Platts as Director, Client Services.

Based in Sydney, and reporting to the Head of Client Services & Operations, Australia and New Zealand, Barbara Whyte, Ms Platts will lead the client services function and support the growth of Natixis IM’s capabilities as it expands its range of promoted managed funds and active ETFs.

Ms Platts brings almost two decades of experience in funds management, with a focus on key account, dealer group, and adviser relationship management. Previously she has held roles with Bennelong Funds Management and Betashares ETFs.

Louise Watson, Country Head for Australia and New Zealand, Natixis IM said, “We’re pleased to welcome Mai, who brings a wealth of experience, to the Natixis IM team and especially to our wholesale clients and platform partners in Australia. Her role will support the growth of the range of active ETFs and managed funds promoted by Natixis IM, leveraging the very best solutions from our global expert affiliate managers to serve the personal, and increasingly complex, needs of our clients.”

Mai Platts, Director Client Services, Natixis IM said, “I look forward to joining the Natixis IM team and continuing to provide a high standard of service to support the growth of exceptional client relationships across Australia. It’s an exciting time to join the team as together we will grow our best-in-class global solutions to our local clients.”

The post Natixis Investment Managers hires Mai Platts to expand client services appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Lousie Watson

The financial advice industry is ripe for disruption as almost two thirds (65%) of Australian investors say they don’t plan to retain their parents’ or spouse’s financial adviser when managing inherited assets, according to Natixis Investment Manager’s (Natixis IM) Great Wealth Transfer Report.

The post From Boomers to Millennials: The great wealth transfer Is redefining financial advice  appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Daniel Shelest

Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM), one of the world’s largest asset managers, has announced the appointment of Daniel Shelest, Distribution Director – Researchers & Consultants.

Based in Sydney and reporting to Jason Guthrie the Head of Wholesale Distribution, Australia and New Zealand, Daniel will focus on strengthening the firm’s engagement with Australia’s research houses, asset consultants and investment committees.

Mr Shelest brings a decade of experience, having served as Research and Consultants Manager at SG Hiscock and Aberdeen, where he earned a reputation for his investment expertise and driving consultant coverage across both public and private markets.

Louise Watson, Country Head for Australia and New Zealand, Natixis IM said, “We’re pleased to welcome Daniel to the team. At Natixis IM, we pride ourselves on understanding our clients’ entire portfolios and aligning their needs with our best-in-class solutions from our global network of expert investment managers. Daniel’s appointment reflects the firm’s commitment to deepening relationships with researchers and consultants – a segment of growing importance in the Australian wholesale ecosystem. He brings a depth of understanding of this landscape and a genuine commitment to strong partnerships.”

Daniel Shelest, Distribution Director – Researchers & Consultants, Natixis IM said, “I look forward to joining the Natixis Investment Managers team and strengthening relationships with clients across Australia. I’m drawn to Natixis IM’s focus on understanding what clients are trying to achieve in their portfolios and engaging with them in a meaningful, long-term way. Offering access to differentiated capabilities from the firm’s global network of specialist investment managers is an important part of that.”

This appointment follows a year of continued momentum for Natixis IM in the wholesale market, with the suite of wholesale funds available now covering specialist equities, fixed income and private equity across affiliates including Loomis Sayles, Mirova, Vaughan Nelson, Flexstone Partners and IML.

Earlier in the year, Natixis Investment Managers celebrated 10 years in Australia and reaffirmed its commitment to providing Australian institutional, wholesale, and retail investors with best-in-class active investment strategies managed by its global network of affiliate investment firms.

The post Natixis Investment Managers hires Daniel Shelest to grow wholesale research & consultant relationships appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Louise Watson

Australian institutional investors, particularly superfunds, plan to look beyond the near-term noise and remain invested in US markets in 2026, according to Natixis IM’s 2026 Institutional Investor Outlook.

Four in five investors acknowledge the return potential in private markets is higher than in public markets, and as a result, 37% have increased target allocation to private markets for 2026.

Natixis IM, in collaboration with CoreData research, surveyed 515 institutional investors for their 2026 outlook on macro and markets. Collectively respondents manage US $29.9T globally in assets for public and private pensions, including superannuation funds, insurers, foundations, endowments, central banks, and sovereign wealth funds around the world.

Louise Watson, Country Head of Australia & New Zealand, Natixis IM, said, “Markets around the world have proved remarkably resilient in 2025, with most equity indices posting a third consecutive year of double-digit returns during a period marked by tariffs, geopolitical conflicts and supply chain shocks. “As long-term investors, many of our superannuation fund clients are feeling optimistic about what’s to come in 2026 and beyond. While 2026 may bring a degree of uncertainty, the enticing opportunity in private markets gives investors an opportunity to leverage a tactical play in this space for attractive returns, diversification and risk management in the new year.

“While we’re starting to see some speculative premium in public market valuations leak out of the widely touted AI bubble, we still expect AI to drive productivity improvements across private markets and especially middle market companies. Our view is that there is a low probability of a near term recession in the US because these companies are starting to use AI technologies to support a wide variety of functions to drive customer growth and retention data as well as improving business margins.”

The proof is in private markets

The headline investors are anticipating in 2026 is that the 60:20:20 alternatives-diversified portfolio outperforms (83%) the traditional 60:40 equity bonds portfolio (17%).

Investors are bullish on private equity (63%), private debt (50%) and residential real estate (57%). In particular, 73% see the potential for attractive returns in private equity secondaries, rather than just as a source of liquidity.

Investors conviction over the longer term remains, as 40% plan to increase allocations to private markets over the next 10-15 years. This is as 87% expect relaxed regulation with respect to private market access will incentivize more companies to stay private for longer.

Tariff trouble to opportunity

With tariffs dominating headlines throughout 2025, 90% of investors are certain that the global tariff environment will remain a moving target into 2026.

Overall sentiment suggests that institutions are bracing for big shifts in the macroeconomic landscape in 2026 as 73% now believe political dysfunction is a growing threat to market stability.

Four in five investors agree that regardless of how high or how long tariffs are in place, manufacturing is unlikely to return to the US in a meaningful way. Instead, tariffs are rallying investor optimism in other ways, as 47% think a US-China trade war will help create a fertile environment for emerging markets to rise.

As emerging markets shift into focus, more than half of institutions now think India will surpass China as the leading emerging market and easing monetary policy in the developed world will help accelerate growth (83%).

Love/Hate relationship with the AI bubble

For the first time in five years, the tech bubble (47%) surpasses geopolitics as investors’ top concerns going into 2026. This is followed by re-inflation (43%), geopolitical shock (40%), government debt/fiscal crisis (40%), and a breakdown in global trade (37%).

While Australian investors are loving the AI fuelled returns, they have bubble concerns, with 83% believing AI is a bubble compared to just 46% globally. 77% think the S&P will hang on to finish the year at an all-time, but into 2026 almost half predict the AI bubble will finally burst.

With that in mind, almost nine in ten Australian investors agree markets are due for a correction in the new year. Almost half (47%) predict a market downturn of 10%-20% and 21% predict a correct of more than 20%.

Read the report.

The post Turning down white-noise and tuning in to signals: Australian institutional investors, superannuation funds, remain optimistic for 2026 appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Louise Watson

For the first time in over a decade, individuals from nearly all developed countries in the Natixis Investment Managers Global Retirement Index (GRI) fear for their retirement security as a complicated economic environment, persistent inflation and ageing populations continue to weigh on retirement preparedness.

This year, Australia maintained its position in 7th and has ranked in the top ten for retirement security globally for more than a decade. The top five countries were Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland, and Denmark. The Netherlands was ranked sixth, followed by Australia, Germany, Luxembourg and Slovenia rounding out the top ten.

Regardless of Australia’s top ten spot, the data^[1] shows 53% of Australians say it will take a miracle to retire securely, a 5% increase from 2023.

Created in collaboration with CoreData Research, and now in its 13th year, the GRI offers a global benchmark of what it takes to enjoy a healthy and secure retirement.

Louise Watson, Country Head of Australia and New Zealand at Natixis IM said: “Australia’s superannuation system is among the best globally and it has certainly played an integral role in Australia’s consistent top ten ranking for retirement security. Still, it’s concerning that Australians are fearful for their stability in retirement. Pressures from inflation, the cost of living and higher interest rates are undeniably crunching retirees’ wallets and increasing uncertainty on how much they can spend in retirement balances, and dreams. This serves as a reminder that investors need their money to work hard for them at all stages in life to make sure they’re getting the best possible outcome in retirement.

“To help Australians feel more confident about reaching their retirement goals, I want to emphasise the value of diversified, actively managed investment strategies tailored to their life stage, whether that’s focusing on growth during the accumulation phase or generating income in retirement. Striking the right balance, will better position investors for a modern retirement, to retire on their own terms and enjoy the lifestyle they’ve dreamed of.”

The key to maintaining a top ten ranking this year comes down to consistency across the sub-indices.

Rankings are relative, based on 18 performance measures across four sub-indices, Finances in Retirement, Material Wellbeing, Health, and Quality of Life, and scored from 0% to 100%. Beyond finances, it assesses factors such as healthcare access and cost, climate, governance, and overall population well-being.

As inflation, rising debt and low interest rates continue to disrupt long-term outcomes, just three countries (Ireland, Switzerland and Australia) finish in the top ten in Finances in Retirement.

Overall, Australia experienced a slight decline in finances in retirement, but improved, or remained steady, across health, quality of life, and material wellbeing:

• 5th for Finances in Retirement (compared to 3rd  in 2024, and 3rd in 2015)
• 6th for Health (7th in 2024, and 11th in 2015)
• 13th for Quality of Life (13th in 2024, and 13th in 2015)
• 15th for Material Wellbeing (compared to 16th in 2024, and 13th in 2015)

Key risks to retirement security in 2025

One of the issues hampering Australian’s retirement stability was over-estimating how much time they had to build their retirement nest egg.

The data^[1] showed that Australian respondents on average planned to retire at 66, but more often than not retired much earlier at 60.

Other key factors include:

1. Inflation: Sticky inflation continues to erode retirement savings. According to the 2025 Natixis Survey of Individual Investors, 4 out of 5 Australians say they are saving less as they grapple with higher costs for medicine, utilities and groceries, 68% say inflation has reduced the future value of their retirement funds, and 32% say it is “killing” their retirement dreams.
2. Savings Responsibility: Inflation concerns cut deep but so do fears of failure, as one third of Australians worry they’ll never save enough for retirement and 77% acknowledge that funding retirement increasingly falls on their shoulders.
3. Pension Pressure: Rising public debt and ageing populations are straining national retirement systems. Seven in ten Australians agree increasing levels of public debt in my country will result in reduced public retirement benefits in the future.
4. Population Ageing: Longer lifespans and ageing populations are creating an increasing problem of old age dependency. In OECD countries, the median ratio of people aged 65+ to working-age adults is projected to rise from 32.5% in 2024 to 59.3% by 2050.
5. Retirement goals: how much do I need to retire?

Australia was among the most ambitious aiming to save $1.25 million for retirement along with Singapore and the United States.

Australia’s ambition is spurred by individual investors’ fears they’ll go broke trying to cover healthcare and long-term care costs (34%), concerns they’ll outlive their assets (25%), and worrying they won’t have enough to leave their kids (25%).

While those in Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan call for a more conservative median of $850,000, and the least ambitious savings goals in Luxembourg, France, and Germany, at $350,000 due to the generous government benefits and employer subsidies.

Meanwhile, the average current retirement balance across this group of more than 7000 investors was $250,000.

Despite these ambitious retirement goals in mind, only a third of Australian investors were more willing to experiment with a diverse range of asset classes with higher earnings potential such as private assets and cryptocurrencies.

Read the report.

——-

Notes:
[1] Natixis Investment Managers Individual Investor Survey conducted by CoreData Research in February and March 2025. Survey included 7,050 individual investors in 21 countries (throughout North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia) including Australia.

The post Overall fears for retirement security grow, but Australia ranks among the world’s best according to Natixis IM’s 2025 Global Retirement Index appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Based in Melbourne, and reporting to the Head of Institutional Distribution, Australia and New Zealand, Danny King, James will focus on growing client services and relationships with institutional clients across Australia.  

Mr. Damicoucas brings nearly a decade of experience, having served as a senior consultant and analyst at Frontier Advisors and Zenith Investment Partners, where he earned a reputation for his investment expertise and a deep commitment to understanding institutional clients’ unique goals. 

Louise Watson, Country Head for Australia and New Zealand, Natixis IM said, “We’re pleased to welcome James to the team. At Natixis IM, we’re deeply committed to understanding our clients’ entire portfolios and aligning their needs with bespoke, best-in-class solutions from our global network of expert investment managers. James, with his expertise across wealth management and investments, combined with his client-centric and consultative approach will compliment this service and strengthen our ability to build strong relationships with institutional clients.” 

James Damicoucas, Director Institutional Sales Natixis IM said, “I look forward to joining the Natixis Investment Managers team and continuing to grow and strengthen its institutional client relationships across Australia. We share a commitment to delivering high-quality, bespoke solutions through a flexible, consultative approach that carefully considers each client’s unique needs.” 

Mr Damicoucas will be working with institutional investors across Australia to bring them access to the multi-affiliate manager’s diverse range of investment strategies.  

Earlier this year, Natixis Investment Managers celebrated 10 years in Australia and reaffirmed its commitment to providing Australian institutional, wholesale, and retail investors with best-in-class active investment strategies managed by its affiliate investment firms around the world.     

The post Natixis Investment Managers hires James Damicoucas to deepen institutional relationships   appeared first on AdviserVoice.

The post Amid volatility, optimism surges for European markets: Natixis Investment Managers Strategists Survey appeared first on AdviserVoice.