BlackRock names new COO, head of public policy

BlackRock Australia has confirmed general counsel and director Alison Telfer as chief operating officer and head of public policy, a new role in the organisation.

She replaces Shane Flatman, whose departure was confirmed by Financial Standard.

Telfer first joined BlackRock as general counsel and head of compliance for BlackRock in 2013, and was named an Australian board member shortly thereafter. Prior to joining the organisation, she had served as senior legal counsel and director of specialised product development at Challenger from 2004 - 2012. Telfer has extensive legal experience in the funds management and corporate spaces, having held an associate position with King & Wood Mallesons and senior associate position at Blake Dawson.

BlackRock Australasia head, Andrew Landman, said Telfer's extensive legal experience will bring a lot of value to the role. "As a fiduciary, BlackRock supports the creation and implementation of regulations that increase market transparency, facilitate responsible growth in capital markets and protect investors.

"Alison will help the firm navigate, and respond to, the ever-changing regulatory landscape in the Australasian region with our clients' interests in mind, and align our operational priorities accordingly."

Reporting from Elizabeth McArthur at Financial Standard contributed to this story