Airlie names new equities head

Magellan Financial Group has announced that the founder of Airlie Funds Management, John Sevior, will retire to be replaced as head of equities by his long-time colleague.

An ASX announcement said veteran investor Matt Williams, will replace Sevior as Airlie's head of Australian equities, with Emma Fisher as deputy head of Australian equities and portfolio manager of the Airlie Australian Share Fund.

After short stints in journalism and stockbroking, Sevior joined Perpetual in 1994 and was appointed head of equities in 2002.

Sevior set up Airlie in 2012 after 17 years at Perpetual.

Williams - who had served as Perpetual's head of equities from 2011 to 2015 - joined him four years later.

.The release said Sevior was leaving Airlie in a strong position, having developed a highly capable team.

"I am immensely proud of what Airlie has been able to accomplish for its clients and staff and am delighted that, since partnering with Magellan in 2018, Airlie has continued to enhance its offering and provide strong outcomes for our institutional and retail clients," he said.

Williams called it an honour and a privilege to work with Sevior for more than 20 years and now to lead Airlie forward.

Magellan chief executive David George commented: "As the founder of Airlie, John successfully established, built, and led an outstanding Australian equities funds management team and business.

"His retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable career where he excelled as a portfolio manager and as an industry leader."

Sevior was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Australian Funds Manager Foundation for his contribution to the local funds management industry.