Future Fund promotes three executives

Following Ben Samild's promotion to the top investment job in August, the Future Fund has confirmed his two deputies and promoted a third executive to run research and insights.

Alicia Gregory continues on in the deputy CIO role, while Hugh Murray, head of overlays, has been appointed deputy CIO after acting in the role in August after Samild became investment chief.

Gregory will add the alternatives and listed equities teams to her direct reporting lines, alongside credit and private equity.

She will also create a new head of tangibles position that will include the infrastructure & timberland and property and listed tangibles teams.

Murray's direct reports will include the heads of dynamic asset allocation, strategic opportunities & integration, overlays & treasury and economics & capital markets.

"The investment landscape has changed significantly in recent times, so there is a corresponding need to re-design how we work as an investment function in this new environment," said Samild.

"The refreshed structure that we are introducing today represents an evolution in how we operate to leverage the strengths and capabilities of the investment team.

The investment chief said the refresh will provide role clarity, encourage cross-team collaboration and empower teams to make critical investment decisions.

"Having benefitted from being able to consult extensively with colleagues since my appointment as CIO, I feel confident that these changes will enhance the way we work as a high-performing, joined-up investment team.

"Importantly, we have the structure in place to be able to meet our investment mandates both now and well into the future," Samild added.

In another move,  Craig Thorburn, the head of emerging markets has been appointed director - of research and insights.

Thorburn has been with the Future Fund for 17 years.

"Genuinely excited about taking on this new role across our investment team," he posted on social media.

News of the appointments comes just days after Peter Costello said he would step down as a chair of Australia's sovereign wealth fund after 14 years on the board.

The federal government is currently searching for a replacement.