Appointments: April 2007

State Street Corporation has announced that Ian Martin has been promoted to General Manager for State Street Global Markets in Australia and New Zealand. State Street Global Markets is the investment research and trading arm of State Street Corporation.

Martin joined State Street in 1993 as Treasury Manager of its Sydney branch, and later became Senior Managing Director and Head of Foreign Exchange for the Asia Pacific region. As such, he was responsible for overseeing State Street’s global trading and sales operations for the region, and played a significant role in the rollout of State Street’s multi-asset class trading platform — Global Link.

In his new role, Martin will be responsible for the management of all of State Street's Australian and New Zealand research and trading activities including equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, derivatives, money market instruments, and securitisation.

“We are delighted to announce this role for Ian who will be instrumental in continuing to build State Street’s research and trading capabilities in Australia and New Zealand,” said Russell Kennett, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of State Street Global Markets for the Asia Pacific region.

Martin will report locally to Kennett. In addition, as he will continue his responsibility as Head of Foreign Exchange for the Asia Pacific region, he will continue to report to Mark Snyder, Executive Vice President and Head of Foreign Exchange for State Street Global Markets. Martin is succeeding Kennett, who has been Australian General Manager for State Street Global Markets since 1994.

The Association of SuperannuationFunds of Australia (ASFA) has appointed Anne Whittaker, formerly a Principal at Mercer Investment Consulting, to the new specialist role of Senior Policy Adviser, Investments.

Describing how ASFA has created this role to further strengthen its investment focus, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Michaela Anderson, said, “As the super industry matures, and the range of investment options and strategies becomes more complex, funds are requiring more specialist knowledge and capacity.”

“This flows on to other key policy issues like investment tax. Anne Whittaker’s breadth and depth of investment knowledge adds another string to the ASFA Policy Team’s bow, and ensures ASFA continues to fulfil its charter of providing leadership to the industry,” finished Anderson.

IXIS Asset Management Australia Limited (IXIS Australia) has announced the appointment of Deborah Alliston as Investment Director.

Alliston, most recently Head of Investments at BT Financial Group, will focus on developing strategies to strengthen IXIS Australia’s investment management capabilities and work with existing clients on their ongoing investment requirements.

IXIS Australia Managing Director, Karyn West, said: “Deborah comes to this role with 20 years’ experience in financial markets and the funds management industry. Her technical expertise and experience in portfolio construction will be invaluable to continuing our record of providing innovative investment solutions for clients.”

“Deborah’s knowledge will assist with the further development of appropriate investment opportunities through the range of products offered by IXIS Australia’s affiliate boutique managers, including Loomis, Sayles & Company L.P., Harris Associates L.P. and Harris Alternatives L.L.C,” she added.

“We are delighted to welcome Deborah to IXIS Australia. Her track record and investment knowledge come to us during a key growth phase for the company.”

Last year, Alliston managed a successful investment team that was awarded Fund Manager of the Year by AFR Investor and S&P Australian Equity and Diversified Fund Manager of the Year.

Alliston said she was delighted to join the IXIS Australia team.

“Over the past seven years, IXIS Australia has continually demonstrated its capacity to anticipate market requirements and operate with flexibility, integrity and flair,” she said.

“Karyn West and her team strive for investment excellence, and their results in building the company and its client base are testament to their dedication and market knowledge.”

Magellan Financial Group has announced that it had appointed Frank Casarotti as Head of Distribution for its funds management activities.

Casarotti has joined Magellan Financial Group from Commonwealth Bank where he was most recently Head of Adviser Distribution with ColonialFirstState. Casarotti has some 27 years experience in financial services and in his role as Head of Adviser Distribution with Colonial First State he effectively oversaw the business development activities of each State-based Colonial First State office, and was directly involved in many of Colonial First State’s key corporate initiatives, including marketing, product development and internet services.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman of Magellan Financial Group, Hamish Douglass, said: “The role as Head of Distribution is a vital hire for Magellan Financial Group as we seek to roll out our funds management strategy. We are absolutely delighted that Frank has accepted the role as Head of Distribution. Frank has tremendous experience in the retail funds management industry in Australia and understands from his career at Colonial First State the importance of a strong distribution model to grow a substantial funds management business.”