With over 15 years’ industry experience, most recently as Director – Distribution & Adviser Services with Mason Stevens, Ms Finnigan will oversee the firm’s relationships with non-aligned IFAs, as well as HNW and SMSF market segments. Ms Finnigan will report to Sam Hallinan, Managing Director of Nikko Asset Management Australia.

“We are fortunate to welcome Naomi to the team and believe that her considerable industry experience in this specialist segment will help us better understand the investment challenges facing the private wealth market,” said Mr Hallinan. “Naomi’s appointment highlights Nikko Asset Management’s ongoing commitment to offer more bespoke investment packages to suit the diverse needs of different client groups.”

“I am excited to join a business that continues to grow its reputation as Asia’s premier global asset manager and is expanding its range of global offerings to Australian investors,” Ms Finnigan said. “I look forward to working closely with our clients to help them achieve their unique objectives – in a firm with no tied distribution, Nikko AM has both the motivation and the flexibility to provide tailored investment solutions, including going beyond traditional managed funds.”

Prior to Mason Stevens, Ms Finnigan was Head of Sales and Distribution at Alpha Structured Investments. She has also worked with DWS Investments and ABN AMRO in business development and account management roles.

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The appointment follows on the heels of recent announcements about Bennelong’s joint initiatives with new global infrastructure investment manager, 4 Corners Infrastructure, and global real estate team Quay Global Investors.  In addition, Julian Beaumont this month joined the Australian equities BAEP team as their new Investment Director.

Changes are afoot and Bennelong’s expansion is set to continue.

Andrew Aitken, Bennelong’s Head of Distribution, welcomed Ryan to the Distribution team saying he was a great fit for the high-performance culture at Bennelong.  “We are committed to building a contemporary business development and client engagement model, ultimately being recognised for excellence in delivering best in class, high alpha investment managers and products,” said Andrew.

Ryan Durance joins Bennelong from Schroders PLC in London, where he was an Equity Long/Short Product Manager. In this role he was in charge of formulating the global business development strategy, aiding product development and acted as a Product Specialist for four European & UK long/short strategies and a UK small cap long only fund.

Prior to this, Ryan was an International Sales Manager at Cazenove Capital Management (later acquired by Schroders), where his main task included managing a book of European and US institutional investors (private banks, family offices, consultants, insurance companies, pension funds and funds of hedge funds) to raise assets in offshore hedge funds, absolute return funds and long only strategies (equity and fixed income).

Other roles in the UK have included Private Banker, UK Private Bank at Barclays Wealth, as well as positions at Coutts & Co and Merchant Investors.

Bringing with him almost a decade of financial services experience and in-depth technical knowledge, Ryan’s key strength is in building robust relationships with institutional investors.  Focusing beyond generating sales, Ryan is committed to supporting investors with their need for open channels of communication regarding asset managers’ views, changes in stock selection and macro-economic outlook.

Reporting to Andrew Aitken, Ryan will join the Distribution team on 9 June and will be based in Bennelong’s Melbourne office.

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Reporting to Mr Andrew McKinnon, chief executive officer, and Mr Damien McIntyre, head of distribution, Ms Lee’s appointment reflects GSFM’s intention to further invest in its institutional business, reflecting its commitment to its fund manager partners.

Ms Lee will focus on marketing the investment strategies of GSFM’s four local and international fund manager partners – Epoch Investment Partners (global equities), Payden & Rygel Investment Management (global fixed income), Tribeca Investment Partners (Australian equities) and Triple 3 Partners (managed volatility), to institutional investors.

“Among our four partners, we have funds under management of $5.7 billion, made up of $3.85 billion from institutional clients and $1.85 billion from retail clients,” Mr McKinnon says.

“With two thirds of our funds under management coming from institutional clients, it is imperative that the level of commitment given to our partners continues to be consistent with our business development goals.

“Vivienne’s appointment will help ensure we are constantly in front of, and servicing, clients and prospects at the institutional level, be it with industry superannuation funds, government institutions or corporate superannuation funds, as well as the asset consultants who advise them,” Mr McKinnon says.

Ms Lee has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry, and has held senior positions for Perennial Investment Partners and has also worked for BT Funds Management, State Street Australia and Westpac Financial Services.

Mr McIntyre says Ms Lee’s skillset aligns with GSFM, and her established relationships with industry leaders across Australia are a testament to her prior success in the industry.

“Vivienne is a very experienced business development manager with established relationships across the spectrum, having achieved a solid grounding in custody and institutional funds management over the past two decades,” Mr McIntyre says.

“Vivienne has experience in working across a number of different asset classes for some of Australia’s top fund managers,” Mr McIntyre says.

Ms Lee holds a MBA and a Management Development Certificate from the Mt Eliza Business School – University of Melbourne and is PS146 qualified.

She is also a board member for the investment committee of the Uniting Church in Australia.

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Mr Peate, an existing Director, brings a wealth of expertise in local government and financial management with over 35 years working experience with Tweed Shire Council, and serving as the Chair of the Board’s Governance and Remuneration Committee as well as a member of the Investment Committee.

Bruce Miller continues as a Director and has taken up the position of Deputy Chair.

LGS is also pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine O’Regan and Jeff Morris as Directors representing Local Government NSW on the Board.

Ms O’Regan and Mr Morris replace existing Directors Leo Kelly and Keith Rhoades. Leo Kelly retires after more than 15 years of service on the Board and Keith Rhoades, the current president of Local Government NSW, concludes a two-year term as Director at the end of March.

LGS Chief Executive Officer, Peter Lambert, said “we welcome Katherine and Jeff to the Board and we’re confident that their depth of experience in the superannuation industry and their demonstrated track record of putting members first will be of great value to LGS.

“We have an aspirational goal for our Board to have 40% representation of female directors and the appointment of Katherine brings us closer to this goal, with two women now serving as Directors on the LGS Board.”

Katherine O’Regan has extensive experience in investment strategy and governance of the superannuation industry through her roles at Macquarie Bank, National Australia Bank and MLC. Ms O’Regan has previously been Chief of Staff and Advisor to Federal and State Government Ministers including the Minister for Local Government, as well as serving as a Councillor at Woollahra Council since 2012.

Jeff Morris has degrees in Law and Economics, and is a Certified Financial Planner with over 30 years experience in financial services. He was Vice President of the investment bank Bankers Trust and a Director of the corporate superannuation fund. Most recently he has been responsible for exposing malpractice in the financial planning industry. He currently serves as a Councillor on North Sydney Council.

Mr Peate and Mr Miller took up their positions on 31 March 2015. Ms O’Regan and Mr Morris commenced their roles on 1 April 2015.

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Based in Melbourne, Ms Weaving will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for the investment managers represented by Equity Trustees including SG Hiscock, LaSalle and Dundas. She will also support and manage the sales distribution team.

Ms Weaving joined Equity Trustees in March 2012 as a key account manager and has been instrumental in the growth of the funds management business for Equity Trustees’ co-branded funds.

With over 22 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including organisations such as Vanguard and AXA, Ms Weaving has worked in business development roles and become a solid business leader, Mr Kalman said.

“This internal appointment is crucial for our funds management business. Relationship management is key as our clients expect more value-add and support from their partners. Equity Trustees prides itself on creating robust succession plans and promoting from within,” Mr Kalman said.

Ms Weaving holds a Bachelor of Economics, Diploma of Superannuation Management and Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

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Mr Lytas brings over 20 years’ experience to CommInsure, most recently as Acting Head of General Insurance for BT Financial Group. Prior to joining BT in 2011, George spent five years in ING’s Wealth Management business in several roles including Head of Product Development where he led a team responsible for the development of retirement income and investment solutions for the Australian market. George has also held senior roles with AMP, Colonial and the Royal SunAlliance Group.

Greg Ballard, General Manager of Superannuation and Investments, CommInsure, said, “We are delighted to appoint George to help drive growth of our Annuities business. George brings a wealth of knowledge in the development of retirement income solutions for the Australian market. He joins our business at a pivotal time in the industry where there is increasing demand for guaranteed retirement income products, such as annuities, which can help provide adequate savings in retirement.”

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The transition to Hesketh, who was also recently promoted to Partner at NMG Consulting, will be seamless. According to Mark Prichard, CEO of NMG Consulting; “Trialogue and Super Funds Review will continue to be published and not only will all of the big and little things clients have come to expect from Tria continue to be delivered, they will continue to get even better over time.”

Mr Hesketh has been with Tria since 2007, and has the distinction of starting as a consultant and rising all the way through the ranks. He is known for his deep expertise in asset management, and has become a leading part of Tria’s strategy proposition. Over the past 18 months, Mr Hesketh has taken on an increasing role in running the Tria business and has been integral to the recent integration of the two businesses. Mr Hesketh commented “I’m excited about the opportunity to lead and continue to grow Tria. We have an exceptionally strong team in place and I’m confident that Tria will continue to be a formidable and leading player in the consulting industry.”

Mr Hesketh will be supported by Mark Watmore who has been with Tria since soon after its foundation. Mr Watmore leads the implementation focus team and is also a Partner. His role has been expanded to include responsibility across NMG Consulting’s business lines in Australia, particularly identifying and executing opportunities for cross-collaboration between the NMG Consulting divisions.

A related change is Principal Consultant, Chris Hurst, moving to the London office of NMG Consulting in early March. Mr Prichard commented; “The addition of new perspective and experience to Chris’s already formidable asset management knowledge, strategy expertise and passion for the industry will be a real asset for our clients in Australia and beyond, in the years to come.”

Mr Baker will continue to be involved as a non-executive director of NMG Consulting and its parent, NMG Holdings, and as such will continue to support the ongoing success of the business and its people. Mr Baker concluded that “the main reason we are able to make these changes is the strength of Tria’s foundations. Tria is not built around any one person, including me. Although this transition is an important milestone, it’s really just another logical step in Tria’s progression and our aspiration to build the best consulting firm in the wealth, asset management and insurance industries. We’ve been able to hire outstanding people over the firm’s history and retain the great majority of them for the long term; their time to lead has arrived.”

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Ms. Panagis takes up the position of Technical Specialist and adds further strength to the Strategy Steps specialist technical and investment team.

Assyat David, Director Strategy Steps said “Natasha has been instrumental in developing the new advice tool in Desk Caddie called the “strategy matrix” which is an easy-to-use tool to help advisers develop tailored strategies for clients based on their age profile and/or life event”.

Ms David added “Each matrix will step out an advice process to guide advisers in developing tailored strategies for clients based on a sequence of questions. A customised PDF is generated for each client.”

“Natasha’s appointment would put the group into an even stronger position to cater to the growing needs of its client base, which included small and large dealer groups as well as fund managers. She brings a great depth of skill, knowledge and industry experience to the mix“ said Ms David.

“Strategy Steps is well positioned to provide client and revenue opportunities to financial service businesses which is timely given the changing face of financial planning, lack of in-house expertise within many financial planning groups and the importance now more than ever before of the need for quality advice tools to help advisers meet the challenges of efficiently delivering ‘quality’ advice that satisfies the ‘best interest’ rules” according to David.

Ms Panagis brings more than 11 years’ experience of providing technical and strategy support to financial advisers. During this time, Natasha has trained financial advisers on a broad range of wealth management areas with a focus on the practical implications for their clients. This experience allows advisers to create business opportunities and utilise strategies to enhance their client’s financial wellbeing.

Her most recent role prior to joining the group was as Technical Services Manager at Centric Wealth. Natasha is well qualified with academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Business (Management), a Bachelor of Business (Applied Finance), an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). She is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA).

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Ken Mungan founded Milliman’s Financial Risk Management practice in 1998. That group has become a leading provider of hedging services to the retirement savings industry, working with $140 billion in assets on behalf of insurers, variable annuities, 401(k)s, and retail mutual funds. Mr. Mungan succeeds Bradley M. Smith, who died in October. Brad had announced his retirement prior to his passing, and the chairman selection process was already underway.

In making the announcement, Milliman President, CEO, and Interim Chairman Steve White said, “Ken Mungan is an innovator and entrepreneur and has built a global consulting practice dedicated to tackling retirement security issues. He is a natural fit for chairman of the board of a growing global firm like Milliman.”

Anticipating his new position, Ken Mungan said, “Milliman has an unparalleled collection of talent, with experts in every global market. I am honored to have been elected by my partners and look forward to my new role.”

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With over 14 years’ industry experience, most recently as Director- Head of National Key Accounts with Blackrock Investment Management, Mr Bluzmanis will oversee Nikko Asset Management’s relationships with financial institutions.

Mr Bluzmanis will report to Vincent Lo Blanco, Head of Distribution at Nikko Asset Management Australia.

“We are delighted to welcome Rob to the Nikko Asset Management team,” said Vincent Lo Blanco. “Rob has established an exemplary professional reputation based on the strength of his investment and asset management knowledge, which will significantly benefit our clients in Australia.”

“It is genuinely exciting to be joining Nikko Asset Management with its growing reputation as Asia’s premier global asset manager,” Mr Bluzmanis said.

“I look forward to working closely with our institutional clients to ensure they are receiving the full benefits of our products and services.” Mr Bluzmanis holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University, Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, FINSIA and a Certified Investment Management Analyst Certification (CIMA).

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