Bennelong Funds Management Ltd is now the responsible entity (RE) for the Paragon Australia Long Short Fund. The Fund invests in equities predominantly in the industrial and resources sectors and across global markets. 

Alan O’Brien, relationship manager, trustee services at Bennelong, said partnering with Paragon is a great first step in the company’s outsourced RE capabilities rollout. 

“We’ve been working hard on creating a comprehensive suite of outsourced RE service offerings for investment managers, both domestically and internationally. Being able to officially bring Paragon on board demonstrates our capabilities in this area.

“It’s been great to work with Hillier Deniz and John Deniz from Paragon, in the appointment of Bennelong as the Fund’s RE,” said O’Brien. 

John Deniz, Paragon’s chief investment officer, co-founded Paragon in 2012 and is responsible for executing the Fund’s investment strategy. 

“Working with Bennelong has been a seamless experience so far, and I’m confident this partnership will strengthen our Fund’s operations,” said Deniz. 

“Thank you to our investors for their support in facilitating this change. I look forward to Bennelong being at the helm.” 

Bennelong’s new outsourced trustee service product offers full oversight and compliance responsibilities for managed funds, and other investment products. It will engage with service providers and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive regulatory and compliance protection, while allowing the investment manager to optimise fund performance. Tailored ancillary services are also available, including investor services and middle office operations.

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Mr O’Brien will be based in Melbourne and report to chief solutions & growth officer, Nicole Hammond.

With over 25 years’ experience in financial services across Dublin and Melbourne, Mr O’Brien will focus on the establishment and ongoing co-ordination of Bennelong’s new trustee services arm.

Bennelong CEO, John Burke, said the appointment is a welcome addition to the team.

“Bennelong’s product offering is expanding, with the business now providing standalone fiduciary services for retail and wholesale funds. We’ve already seen some strong interest from managed funds across the industry.

“We can think of no one better than Alan to lead this new function, bringing an impressive wealth of expertise and knowledge in this area.”

Mr O’Brien recently held the role of senior manager, relationships and oversight, at Equity Trustees, and previously held roles within JP Morgan, BNY Mellon and the Irish Stock Exchange.

“Following a number of years working within the trustee services space, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build a strong outsourced responsible entity and trustee services offering, with the backing of a well-respected brand like Bennelong,” said Mr O’Brien.

Bennelong’s new trustee service product offers full oversight and compliance responsibilities for managed funds. It engages with service providers and stakeholders to ensure investor protection, while optimising fund performance. Tailored ancillary services are also available, including investor services and middle office operations.

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Mr O’Brien brings an understanding of global context which is particularly important as the CTS business moves to ensure clients are properly advised and able to take advantage of additional fund structuring opportunities now available in the Australian market.

“Mr O’Brien brings a great mix of international perspective and local experience, which is particularly important with the introduction of AMITs and CIV’s in the Australian context, and the opportunities they present to our Australian and global clients,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, CTS.

This is a return to Equity Trustees for Mr O’Brien, who was a relationship manager in the business between 2000 and 2003; his career has since included various operational, relationship and regulatory roles in the financial services industry both in Australia and overseas.

Mr O’Brien has product experience with equities, fixed interest and structured finance. He has a breadth of experience through his work with JPMorgan, BNY Mellon and the Irish Stock Exchange while abroad and with ANZ and NAB in Melbourne.

“We’re pleased that Mr O’Brien is bringing his significant experience, expertise and energy to Equity Trustees,” he said.

Mr O’Brien completed his undergraduate in Business in Dublin, followed up by an MBA from the Manchester Business School and LLM from the University of London.

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