Funds SA asset allocation lead exits

Funds SA, the $42 billion public sector investment manager, has confirmed that its asset allocation lead will leave the fund next month and take a short career break.

Brendan Hallett said he wants  to return to the east coast and and look for opportunities with either a Sydney or Melbourne-based asset owner.

Funds SA chief executive John Piteo said "After 3 years working closely with our South Australian clients and internal teams, Brendan has decided to return home.

"On behalf of Funds SA, we thank Brendan for his valuable contribution and wish him all the best in his future career."

Piteo -  appointed to the top job last September - said the fund's chief investment officer would lead  the asset allocation program while he considered the organisation's future needs.

Hallett led the quasi - sovereign wealth fund's asset allocation team for three years and was heavily involved in investment strategy development for Funds SA clients.

He joined Funds SA from the New South Wales Treasury Corporation, where he held several senior asset allocation and investment strategy roles.

Before his seven years with TCorp, he worked at AMP Capital as an investment specialist and strategist for eight years

His first job at AMP Capital was as a portfolio analyst in the fund's multi-manager team.