AUCKLAND - May 27, 2009: Russell Investments' New Zealand team has secured leadership positions in the worldwide investment management company's new global service strategy.

New Zealand's managing director Mark Blair is part of the Global Leadership Forum and will co-chair the firm's Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Outsourcing team.

Alister Van der Maas, senior manager investment consulting based in Auckland, has been appointed to a number of global committees for the consulting business. It is the first time the New Zealand team has been represented at this level and Blair and Van der Maas say this acknowledges that the strategy the New Zealand team has long utilised, is now influencing the global model for Russell Investments.

"We have vigorously pursued a consultancy model where we provide quality research and advice to our clients," Van der Maas says. "While we have access to Russell products, it is up to our clients to select them. We are not product sales driven, rather, our emphasis is on well researched and timely advice."

Blair, who spends his time between New Zealand and Australia, found the NZ business model quite different from his Australian experience. He says with the changes to Russell's global focus, the New Zealand model is now being used to help develop Russell's new consulting template. "We plan to grow the team here in New Zealand and are currently seeking senior people," Blair says.

Global chief executive Andrew Doman earlier this month announced the creation of five new global service lines to complement Russell's existing multi-manager, private equity Pantheon) and indexes global teams. He says clients are demanding access to Russell's full global capabilities and the very best possible advice and analysis. "We are wholly committed to leading the market in consulting and advisory services worldwide," Doman says.

The global teams will work with regional business units to allow Russell to deliver innovative intellectual capital and investment products and services to any client, anywhere in the world.