Russell enhances implementation services across Asia Pacific
• Global financial crisis drives increased demand for improved investment strategies and implementation processes
• Industry veteran John Moore appointed to expand implementation services across Asia Pacific region; Sally Corbett promoted to lead team in Australia and New Zealand
Sydney, 07 October, 2009 –Russell Investments is expanding its implementation services offering in Asia Pacific, as effective implementation of portfolio strategies becomes increasingly acknowledged as a must-have among competitive superannuation and pension funds.
The global financial crisis has thrust the importance of maximising portfolio returns under the spotlight as funds become more aware of the benefits of improved investment strategies and implementation processes.
Russell Investment Services (RIS) executes all implementation services such as transition management, interim portfolio management, currency hedging, agency FX and portfolio solutions (i.e. emulation) and policy implementation. Speaking at a recent Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees conference (AIST), Mr John Moore, Director, Investment Services, Russell Investments outlined important strategies to improve implementation techniques to assist clients who are focused on cost and the core structure of their funds.
“In a world where every basis point counts, efficient implementation is essential. Superannuation funds can vastly improve portfolio performance from 20-50 bps per annum by simply reducing inefficiencies in their portfolios through the appropriate implementation techniques.” he said
Last year Russell Investments introduced an enhanced version of the T Standard - a metric used widely across the transition management industry to help investors measure the performance of their portfolio during a transition. The new metric has been widely accepted by the Australian investment community and has significantly enhanced performance.
Expanding the RIS team
As part of plans to expand the RIS business in the Asia Pacific region, Russell Investments today announced the appointment of John Moore as Executive Director, Investment Services, Asia Pacific, effective 1 October. Mr Moore will be responsible for building and developing the RIS business in the Asia Pacific region, including growing its Japanese business.
Sally Corbett, who has recently been promoted to Manager, Russell Investment Services Australia and New Zealand, will lead the RIS business in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Moore, who will be based in Tokyo, will maintain a strong focus on the RIS business in Australia while continuing to work closely with Sally and two new RIS portfolio managers – one based in Sydney and Tokyo - to deliver the highest quality service to all clients across the Asia Pacific region.
Mr Moore said he was looking forward to continuing to work with Ms Corbett to further grow the RIS business in Australia. “Sally has extensive experience working as part of Russell’s global portfolio transition team and since joining RIS in 2005 Sally has made significant contributions to our success in the region. I have worked along side Sally for a number of years and will continue to support her to deliver superior transition management and investment solutions to Australian customers,” he said.
David Rothenberg, Russell’s Managing Director - Business Growth & Development, Russell Implementation Services, said: “John and Sally have done a tremendous job of building the RIS business in Australia from a small base to a significant and highly valued offering for clients. With growing regional demand, John will now have the opportunity to apply his skills across Australia and the entire Asia Pacific region. Russell's further investment in Sydney and Tokyo demonstrates our commitment to our clients and I am confident that John and Sally will continue to lead the industry with new and innovative implementation solutions."
Mr Moore joined Russell in 2000 in its global head office in Tacoma and transferred to Sydney in December 2005 as portfolio manager of Russell’s implementation services global transition team. Prior to joining Russell, Mr Moore completed an MBA at University of South Carolina.
Since joining Russell in 2005 Sally has been responsible for delivering transition management services to Russell’s Australasian clients. Prior to joining Russell, Ms Corbett worked for global investment banks including UBS, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs and completed an Executive MBA at Stern, New York University.
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