O’Grady, with over 15 years of experience of working in the investment management sector, joins from Grant Samuel Funds Management, where he spent the past seven years as key account manager, responsible for growing funds under management across advisory groups, family offices and small institutional investors.

Prior to that, he was key account manager and regional account manager at Australian Unity Investments.

Matthew Harrison, managing director of Franklin Templeton Australia and New Zealand, says: “We are very pleased to have a sales executive of Huw’s skill and experience join us as we grow our business in Australia.

“Our team is a competitive advantage. We work hard to cultivate an inclusive workplace that helps our employees thrive, which in turn benefits our clients, our partners and our company.”

Felicity Walsh, Head of Sales at Franklin Templeton, says this new appointment reflects the growth in the business following the acquisition of Legg Mason last year.

“Today, we are well positioned to service our clients to create long-term, sustainable businesses off the back of a strong and experienced sales and distribution team.

“We continue to invest in people to remain innovative and nimble to meet the demands from our clients, backed by our world-class specialist investment managers and capabilities.

“Our global scale and reach are important, but this becomes even more powerful when combined with a local team that has deep contacts, local market insights and expertise,” she added.

O’Grady, who joins Franklin Templeton today, says: “I have a passion for asset management and take pride in working with clients to help deliver better investment outcomes. I am looking forward to bringing new perspectives and positive energy to the Franklin Templeton team.”

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In this new role, Mr O’Grady will work alongside the existing state manager Victoria, Steve Fletcher, and will report to Damien McIntyre, head of distribution at GSFM.

Mr O’Grady has over 14 years experience in business development in financial services, and was most recently key account manager with Australian Unity. Prior to this he was Australian Unity’s business development manager for Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. He has also worked for Orchard Funds Management, Asgard Wealth Solutions, Ord Minnett, Macquarie Bank and Morgan Stanley in London.

Mr McIntyre says the expansion of the team is a reflection of the strong business growth experienced during 2014, and recognition that Victoria is a key market for GSFM.

“The high level of funds inflows for all our business partners and the success of our partnership approach means that the creation of this role is an important step in our growth strategy,” Mr McIntyre says.

“Huw is a senior appointment and his broad experience spans global and Australian equities, fixed income, property and non-traditional asset classes. His appointment will significantly increase the depth and breadth of our business development capabilities.”

The move follows the retail funds flows for the Grant Samuel Epoch Global Equity Shareholder Yield fund recently surpassing the $1.5 billion in assets under management mark, along with the addition of it as an investment option on the Colonial First State FirstChoice platform.

As well, the Grant Samuel Triple3 Volatility Advantage Fund was recently added as an investment option on Macquarie wrap and was also awarded a “Recommended” rating from Lonsec.

“Huw’s background and experience round out the skill set of the business development team, and makes him an excellent fit with the business, as it prepares for another big year of adviser demand in 2015.

“His proven track record and strong industry network will serve GSFM well as it positions itself for its next phase of growth.”

Mr O’Grady holds Bachelors degrees in Commerce and Arts from Deakin University, Melbourne and is currently studying towards an MBA at the Melbourne Business School.

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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.

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