Challenger signs Saunders as research manager
The former head ofAssirt, Caroline Saunders, has been recruited byChallenger Financial Servicesto take on the role of head of manager research and alliances.
According to Challenger, Saunder’s role will cover the relationships the group has with external fund managers, particularly in the area of multi-manager products, and will also involve the development of its own multi-manager platform offerings.
Reporting through to distribution and service strategy general manager Rob Adams, Saunder will also work with the research division of Garrisons Financial Planning and its newly appointed head of research Keat Chew in the area of manager selection for the Garrisons approved investments list.
Saunders was unable to comment further on her role with the group but says a number of industry groups, including research houses, had been in contact with her since leaving Assirt in July with offers of work.
However Saunders says the decision to sign on with Challenger was driven by a desire to work in research but with exposure to the distribution end of the financial services market.
Saunders left Assirt in July after the research house was rolled into the Investment Centre of Excellence (ICE) within St George, a group formed to cover the investments arm of Advance Funds Management and the research capabilities of Assirt.
The ratings, research, and market research functions of Assirt were all brought under ICE control - a decision ultimately fuelling the departure of Saunders who stated at the time that the decision to leave the group was because the moves were not something she could work with and did not fit in with career expectations.
AUTHOR
Jason Spits
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