Aussie equities head departs abrdn
Michelle Lopez, head of Australian equities at abrdn, has departed the firm after 18 years.
Her role would be taken over by Natalie Tam, deputy head of Australian equities, in the interim until a replacement was appointed.
Lopez joined the firm in 2004 as an investment analyst from Willis Towers Watson and later progressed to working as an investment manager, investment director, deputy head of equities and was appointed as head of Australian equities in July 2019.
Writing on LinkedIn, Lopez said: “Starting as a super enthusiastic graduate in Sydney and making my way, through swings and roundabouts, to head of Australian equities. It has always been a place of true team spirit and collaboration.
“It has been an absolute privilege to be able to do what I love, with such great people.”
The departure followed the decision by abrdn to appoint boutique fund manager SG Hiscock to manage its Australian equity fund range and to manage wholesale distribution in Australia.
A statement from abrdn regarding the changes said: “abrdn Australia will continue to employ a number of colleagues in global and APAC roles. We will also continue to develop our relationships with institutional and consultant clients in Australia, making our global expertise and services available”.
The firm confirmed to Money Management that Lopez had departed the firm.
This was the second global asset manager to indicate it would be reducing its presence in Australia as BlackRock announced it was repositioning its Australian equities fund range and had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pendal.
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Laura Dew
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