Alex Gao is an experienced financial executive. He has more than 15 years’ experience in accounting, finance and operations. As CFO, Alex will oversee the financial planning and board reporting, management accounting and other accounting functions.  He will also have oversight over Raiz’s  pre and post compliance of all trading functions.

Alex is a member of CPA Australia and holds a Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney, majoring in accounting and finance.

Alex joined Instreet Investment in 2012 as the finance and operations manager and has worked closely with Managing Director/Group CEO George Lucas since then.

He has also been a valuable member of the team, including Australian CEO & Group COO Brendan Malone and James Poon, Chief Product Officer & International, to grow Raiz since it began operations in 2016 under the Acorns banner.

Lucas says: “Raiz is delighted to announce Alex’s promotion to CFO. Alex joined Instreet before it was part of Raiz, and has contributed strongly to Raiz’s growth having been involved in all stages of the business from the beginning of an idea to where we are now.  We are confident Alex will continue to add value to Raiz and look forward to his success in the role.”

Gao says: “I am honoured to be appointed CFO of a company that is enjoying such strong growth not only in Australia, but also Malaysia and Indonesia. COVID tested the business but we have emerged a stronger and more competitive company, with a proven business model through the most difficult of times.  I am confident we have the right strategies and team for this growth to continue apace.”

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Instreet managing director George Lucas says the appointments are a strong signal to the markets that we are “passionate” about developing innovative investment strategies and enhancing awareness of structured investments.

A financial adviser and investment manager with more than nine years’ experience, Obermeder comes to Instreet from Citi where he provided tailored advice to clients with a particular focus on structured products and managed funds.
Poon has extensive banking experience, previously having worked at RBS in a product development role for equity derivatives and structured products on listed and unlisted platforms. He also had a similar role at Westpac.

Lucas says “As market demand for structured products matures, especially for bespoke and HNW investor solutions, it will be Marcus’s responsibility to strengthen relationships in the wealth management sector, targeting wholesale and sophisticated investors.”

He says Poon’s experience will be invaluable in building bespoke solutions for clients. “In a market that’s constantly changing, we apply market knowledge, innovation and intelligence to deliver a suite of relevant structured products to suit the investment climate and investor preferences. This includes providing investors with access to new markets.

“He will work closely with our select group of leading international financial institutions to deliver tailored solutions.
“Instreet’s structured products are designed to offer clients solutions that can provide regular income regardless of the direction of the markets; provide leverage into growth markets; or even provide an ability to benefit when markets fall.

“Structured investments allow unique tailoring of the investment risk/return profile to suit variation in market climate and investor preferences. As a result, structured products may provide an important addition to a diversified investment portfolio.”

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