Barrenjoey reinforces Asian presence with Hong Kong office
Australian financial services firm Barrenjoey has opened a Hong Kong-based office after the acquisition of an Asian business, marking its second international office.
The company confirmed the establishment of a Hong Kong office will allow its Asian clients to access Australian and Zealand equities sales, trading and research.
The new office location follows Barrenjoey’s launch of an Abu Dhabi Global Market office in June 2024, providing fixed income sales and trading services.
With three Australian offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, the announcement means that Barrenjoey now has two international offices.
The opening of the Hong Kong office was due to the firm’s strategic alliance with New Zealand-owned investment company Forsyth Barr. As a result, Barrenjoey acquired Forsyth Barr’s Asian business.
“Acquiring Forsyth Barr’s existing operations in Hong Kong enabled us to accelerate our presence in Hong Kong, and we’re grateful for the collaboration with Forsyth Barr,” commented Klaudia Szargawinska, equities chief operating officer at Barrenjoey.
Chris Williams, Barrenjoey’s head of equities, said the new office brings the investment bank’s equities team closer to its Asian client base.
“Hong Kong is a key global financial centre and our presence ensures proximity to our clients in the region, underlining our commitment to this important market,” Williams said.
Moreover, Barrenjoey’s head of Asian distribution, Angus McGeoch, said the company’s clients in the region have already begun benefitting from the on-ground presence in Hong Kong.
“Barrenjoey offers market-leading products across the Australia and New Zealand investment landscape. Our ability to bring that expertise to Hong Kong will provide our clients with valuable insights, unique access and vast investment opportunities. We look forward to engaging face to face with our clients and market participants,” McGeoch said.
Led by chief executive Brian Benari, Barrenjoey was established in 2020 and is backed by Magellan Financial Group and Barclays Investment Bank.
The firm operates across five business segments, including equities, research, fixed income, corporate finance and private capital.
In September last year, it was announced that former Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe was appointed to Barrenjoey’s board as an independent non-executive director.
The firm’s board includes names such as independent chairman David Gonski AC, former federal cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer, and Magellan executive chairman Andrew Formica.
“After a successful tenure as governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, we’re delighted to welcome Dr Lowe to the board of Barrenjoey. His deep expertise in policy and intimate knowledge of markets will bring value to the board, and also to Barrenjoey’s clients and staff,” Gonski commented at the time.
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Jasmine Siljic
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