BlackRock appoints new head of iShares for Australia


BlackRock has appointed Christian Orbist as its new head of iShares for Australia, effective June 1.
He would replace Jonathan Howie, who previously led BlackRock’s iShares business in Australia, and who decided to take a new role as head of index strategy, Asia-Pacific, in Hong Kong.
Orbist would report to the firm’s head of Australasia, Dominik Rohe, and head of iShares and index investing, Asia-Pacific, Susan Chan.
In his new role, he would be responsible for the strategy and day-to-day operations of the iShares business in Australia.
Prior to this, Orbist led private banking and asset manager distribution in Hong Kong for Asia ex-Japan. He first joined BlackRock in 2012 in Europe where he focused on institutions covering pension, insurance and asset managers. He also worked at J.P. Morgan and UBS.
Rohe said Orbist would bring many years of experience covering client use of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Australia, strengthening BlackRock’s local business in this area.
Recommended for you
Trustee and fund administration platform MSC Group has promoted Shelley Brown as its chief operations officer, having successfully completed the integration of the Certane Corporate Trust business.
Australian Unity’s group managing director and chief executive has announced his plans to retire at the end of the year after two decades leading the company.
TAL has appointed a senior manager for investment strategy and portfolio management who joins from a lead role at AIA.
Global wealth management platform FNZ has appointed a new group head of APAC, while boutique investment manager TWC Invest welcomes a chief technology officer.