Ross Kent appointed chief of AllianceBernstein Australia
Ross Kent has been appointed chief executive of global asset manager AllianceBernstein Australia after six years leading the company's marketing efforts in Australia and New Zealand.
Kent has held the position of senior managing director - institutional relationships since December 2006, and also worked as general manager for New Zealand. Prior to working with AllianceBernstein, Kent was managing director for AMP Financial Services in New Zealand.
Kent said that following the move to 100 per cent ownership of the company by AllianceBernstein last year, targeted realignment of resources - including expanding the Melbourne-based Asia-Pacific Fixed Income team - had positioned the company for a new phase of growth.
"Our strategy will be to build on the tradition we have established during more than 20 years in the Australian market, which is to deliver local and global investment solutions to our clients here, supported by the depth and breadth of our local and global research, portfolio management and client-service resources," he said.
The company has adopted a governance structure employed in other subsidiaries outside of the US which promotes the position of chief executive from within the marketing function.
"Making our most senior role in the country a client-facing position reflects our philosophy of putting clients' needs first and foremost," said Bob Keith, AllianceBernstein's New York-based global head of client group.
"We believe the arrangement works strongly to our clients' advantage."
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