legalsuper adds independent investment expertise

Joe Fernandes, former managing director and CEO for First State Investment in Asia, and head of investments for Colonial First State, has joined legalsuper as an independent investment expert.

Fernandes spent more than 17 years with Colonial First State and First State Investments, including time on the CFSGAM global leadership team. He also spent more than five years as an investment consultant and head of hedge fund research with Mercer.

"Joe's senior investment and management experience, and professional capabilities, were evident from his interactions with legalsuper executives and members of the Board," said legalsuper chief Andrew Proebstl. "The thoughtful, measured insights he offered during our selection process and his clear understanding of the strategic investment opportunities and innovations available to legalsuper in a challenging and uncertain environment, distinguished him."

Fernandes will sit on legalsuper's investment committee and will work closely with recently-appointed chief investment officer Norman Zhang.

legalsuper looks after $4 billion in investments for more than 43,000 members.