Colonial First State has appointed two investment professionals from MLC Asset Management and AustralianSuper.
John Iles has joined CFS as head of cash management and derivatives, joining from superannuation fund AustralianSuper where he was a portfolio manager looking after equities implementation.
Prior to joining AustralianSuper, he managed global and quantitative strategies for UniSuper.
“John brings a wealth of experience in derivatives, balance sheet and cash optimisation and exposure management,” said Jonathan Armitage, chief investment officer at CFS.
“His appointment is a key part of our strategy of building out our capabilities in active risk and portfolio management in our investment options. He will also focus on building out a cash management capability to ensure we are efficient in the way we manage cash across our multiple investments.”
It also appointed Al Clark as head of investments from the same role at MLC Asset Management.
He has 25 years’ experience in financial services including global head of multi-asset at Nikko Asset Management and head of multi-asset for APAC at Schroders.
Clark is based in Melbourne and Iles is based in Sydney.
Earlier this year, CFS also made internal changes with Ben Lam being promoted from senior investment manager to head of equities and Robert Graham Smith promoted from senior investment manager to head of fixed income and alternatives.
Chetan Soorkea and Ramali De Zoysa were appointed to senior investment analysts.
“This strengthening of our investment team will enable better decision making and better investment outcomes for our customers,” said Armitage.
Earlier this year, CFS announced the fund’s balanced FirstChoice Employer Super (Lifestage 1965–69) fund delivered 10.5 per cent return while its growth option FirstChoice Employer Super (Lifestage 1975–79) delivered 12.2 per cent.
CFS has just under 200,000 total members in FirstChoice Employer Super representing $14.9 billion in funds under administration. In total, CFS funds under management are $147.4 billion.
