Mercer has created the new role of global chief investment officer for mainstream assets in response to the expansion of its investment management business. Russell Clarke, the current Asia Pacific CIO, will take on the new role with responsibility for decisions concerning traditional asset classes like equities, property, fixed interest and multi-asset portfolios.
Replacing Clarke will be senior portfolio manager Andrew Howard, while senior portfolio strategist Phil Graham will become deputy CIO for Asia Pacific. Staff hires are planned over the coming months to fill the vacancies resulting from these internal promotions.
Clarke will now report to Mercer’s London-based global CIO, Andrew Kirkton, while regional CIOs across the globe will report to him.
Clarke said he will transfer his responsibilities to Howard in a phased process to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.
Mercer’s investment management business leader for Asia Pacific said local investment management clients would benefit from Clarke’s move to the new global role, as it would enable even stronger advocacy of local issues at the highest levels within Mercer internationally.
In its pre-election policy document, the FSC highlighted 15 priority reforms, with superannuation featuring prominently, urging both major parties to avoid changing super taxes without a comprehensive tax review.
The Grattan Institute has labelled the Australian super system as “too complicated” and has proposed a three-pronged reform strategy to simplify superannuation in retirement.
Super funds delivered a strong 2024 result, with the median growth fund returning 11.4 per cent, driven by strong international sharemarket performance, new data has shown.
Australian Ethical has seen FUM growth of 27 per cent in the financial year to date.