The strategic hires bolster the growth plans for TWC since launching in September 2024. The group is actively leveraging a differentiated lifecycle investment approach in Australia alongside a proprietary technology platform to enhance decision-making and investor outcomes.

Owen Hereford, CEO of TWC, said: “TWC was founded on the belief that a more transparent and structured investment approach – one that considers and measures the full lifecycle of market opportunities – can deliver superior long-term outcomes.

“Stephen and James’ combined expertise aligns with this philosophy, bringing a wealth of institutional experience and a shared vision for innovation and strong fiduciary oversight.

“Their experience and skills will be instrumental to support our next phase of growth.”

Stephen Thompson – strengthening governance and risk oversight

A respected figure in Australian funds management, Stephen brings over 40 years’ experience in investment governance, risk and portfolio management.

He played a pivotal role in scaling Cooper Investors from A$50 million to A$13 billion in AUM over two decades as a Founding Director, leading risk, compliance and ESG integration to ensure resilience across market cycles.

Before joining Cooper Investors in 2002, Stephen was Director of Equities at Equitilink (now Aberdeen Asset Management) and began his career in fixed income and cash markets at the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

At TWC, Stephen will oversee risk frameworks, regulatory compliance and operational integrity, reinforcing the firm’s dedication to transparency, accountability and investor confidence.

Stephen Thompson said: “TWC’s lifecycle-driven approach to investing is a compelling framework for identifying value across market cycles.

“I’m looking forward to applying my experience in risk governance and compliance to support the firm’s growth and ensure we continue to deliver disciplined, high-integrity investment solutions.”

James Martin – driving technological innovation

A specialist in financial services technology and digital transformation, James Martin has built a career solving complex business challenges in institutional investment and financial services.

James began his career at PwC, quickly advancing into managerial roles before taking on senior positions in New Zealand Government Ministries. He later founded Mission Intelligence, a consultancy delivering data-driven, cost-effective solutions for financial services firms. He holds a Master’s in Applied Finance and Economics.

At TWC, James will enhance its proprietary technology platform, integrating advanced data analytics and strategic foresight to refine investment processes and generate new investor insights.

James Martin said: “Technology plays a crucial role in empowering investors with better insights and more effective capital allocation. I’m excited to expand TWC’s existing capabilities and help drive innovation to ultimately enhance investor outcomes.”

Positioning TWC for scalable growth

TWC is asserting its credentials in assembling a leadership team that blends institutional pedigree, technological innovation and an evidence-based investment methodology.

This is against a backdrop of active asset managers facing increasing pressure to deliver alpha in volatile markets, and top-tier talent gravitating toward firms with differentiated investment strategies.

“Bringing Stephen and James on board reflects the calibre of leadership we’re attracting at TWC,” said Owen Hereford.

“Stephen’s investment philosophy aligns with TWC’s lifecycle-driven approach, embodied in our proprietary Real Return on Investment (RROI) framework  – which evaluates companies through an industrial lifecycle lens.

“This approach reinforces the firm’s commitment to disciplined, risk-aware capital allocation. Likewise, James’ expertise in leveraging technology will play a critical role in strengthening TWC’s proprietary platform, enhancing data-driven investment decision-making and operational efficiency.

“We have in place an accomplished team to support our growth backed by leading technology and a disciplined investment approach to deliver long-term value to investors.”

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Cameron Sinclair

TWC Investment Management (TWC), a boutique investment manager has launched in the Australian market and will be led by Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and former Credit Suisse Managing Director John Birkhold, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Hereford.

Birkhold was previously Managing Director at Credit Suisse HOLT in London where he spearheaded a cashflow-based and industrial life-cycle investment framework that transformed investment analysis globally.

TWC will initially offer three funds to wholesale and institutional clients based on its proprietary investment framework.

The framework is a departure from conventional accounting-based market norms and is underpinned by a Real Return on Investment (RROI) measure of corporate performance with an embedded expectations valuation approach grounded in an industrial life cycle framework.

John Birkhold, CIO explains, “The goal is to break away from conventional metrics, like EPS growth and Price-to-Earnings ratios, and instead focus on economic measures of corporate performance and embedded expectations in order to create, not diminish, the wealth of our clients.”

“Our proprietary framework, which has been refined over the past 30 years, is adept at identifying listed company wealth creators, run by exceptional management teams, across the entire industrial lifecycle spectrum.”

TWC’s investors will gain access to a range of strategies including Global and Australian focused Wealth Creator funds.

Owen Hereford, CEO, TWC said, “At TWC, we are focused on setting a new standard in Australian funds management through transparency and clarity of purpose.”

“We have the opportunity to generate lasting value for our clients by sharing key insights so that they can navigate financial markets and allocate capital in a more rational manner in order to achieve their long-term financial objectives.”

Hereford and Birkhold are joined by an experienced team of Founding Partners and industry veterans, including Neil Carter, Cameron Sinclair, Amy Reed and Angelique Tan. The group has extensive experience covering investment, sales and marketing, compliance and operations.

“Wealth generation that is rooted in a strategic-based framework that has been designed with clarity, precision and knowledge will empower our investors to deploy capital with the confidence of context,” Hereford concluded.

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