The strong growth in advisers discovering the benefits of our contrarian investment philosophy has led to us restructuring our retail distribution team. We have also created a new Head of Adviser Distribution role to ensure that we can continue to support our advisers and maintain our exceptional service levels. We are very fortunate to have a strong team with extensive experience and have been able to make senior appointments from within.
Changes to the distribution team include the promotion of former Allan Gray Queensland State Manager, Marietta Gibbs, to the role of National Account Executive. She will assume additional national responsibilities in the distribution team including strategic distribution initiatives. Julian Morrison is promoted to the company’s Executive Committee and his title will change to Head of Research Relationships and National Key Accounts. Julian has been key to Allan Gray’s distribution effort for over nine years and he will continue to work with research houses, consultants, platforms and key accounts. Chris Hestelow is also transitioning from the role of Relationship and Research Associate to Relationship Manager.
We are pleased to announce that LJ Collyer, an Allan Gray stalwart of 15 years, takes the role of Head of Adviser Distribution. Here we ask LJ for a few insights and provide the opportunity for you to get to know him a little more.
What does this appointment mean for you?
Whilst I am saddened that Chris Inifer has decided to take a career break, I also feel very privileged to have been able to work with him and draw upon his skills as an accomplished industry veteran who has been a great leader and mentor. I look forward to challenging the team and moving us forward in this newly created role of Head of Adviser Distribution, so that we continue to service and assist financial advisers make a real difference to their clients’ financial future.
How will we continue to support advisers during this particularly hard time?
The most important part of our team’s job is to ensure that advisers understand the Allan Gray contrarian investment philosophy. Whilst our flagship Australia Equity Fund approach has outperformed the market over the long term, it requires restraint, patience and understanding. We focus on arming advisers with the correct information so they are equipped to help their clients stay the course and focus on their individual financial goals. Right now this is a difficult time, but we have been on the front foot with regular Zoom adviser meetings as well as sending out weekly video updates from Simon Mawhinney, our CIO & MD, which have been well received and we intend to continue with these. There have been significant buying opportunities in the Fund recently and we have kept advisers up to date with portfolio movements.
What do you value most about Allan Gray Australia?
We are a firm that constantly reaffirms and lives its values. Everything we do has the end client at the forefront of decision making. Our independence that comes from being privately owned also assists us in our independent thinking which is encouraged in every staff member and sits particularly well with me. I love the fact we are performance driven, consistent and committed. These values truly align with how I view the world. I sincerely believe in the people and the philosophy and can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring.
