MLC AM reshuffles investment team

Grant Mizens
GRANT MIZENS
MLC Asset Management Pty Limited - Joint head of Capital Markets Research
APPOINTMENT
MLC ASSET MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED
Date: 23 March 2023
Position: Joint head of Capital Markets Research
By Elizabeth Fry

MLC Asset Management has appointed Grant Mizens and Ben McCaw joint heads of the capital markets research team and co-portfolio managers of choice products.

Al Clark, the head of the capital markets research team is leaving to pursue opportunities outside the firm.

He will remain with the business for the coming weeks to ensure an orderly transition.

Mizens and McCaw - who are co-portfolio managers in the capital markets research team - will now report directly to Insignia Financial investment chief Dan Farmer.

Farmer became chief investment officer of the  blended Insignia Financial and MLC AM investment management teams last June.

Currently, Mitzen is responsible for asset allocation across MLC's diversified portfolios.

He started with MLC as a graduate in 2006 and has worked at the firm since then doing a stint in 2014 as a senior consultant with JANA investment advisers.

For his part, McCaw manages several of MLC's diversified funds as well as the direct Australian share allocations in Inflation Plus.

He joined MLC in 2008 as a senior analyst before progressing to portfolio manager in 2012.

Before that, McCaw worked as a sell-side equity analyst in Singapore and at a boutique stockbroker in Sydney.

Commenting on the appointments, Farmer said the two investment professionals have a deep understanding of constructing multi-manager portfolios combined with an already strong working relationship.

"The appointments of Grant and Ben reflect our established succession plan and we are privileged to have such exceptional depth of talent within the business," he added.

"We continue to have one of the most well-resourced, highly experienced, proven investment teams in the industry which has provided quality outcomes for clients through investment cycles."

Farmer thanked Clark for his contribution over the years.

"Importantly, we can provide continuity for clients and stakeholders as our robust investment process and depth of talent reduce key person dependencies."

MLC AM also confirmed that Anthony Golowenko continues to be the lead portfolio manager for the managed accounts investment strategy, supported by McCaw and the deep resources of the broader MLC investment team.

Aside from reporting to Farmer, Mizens and McCaw will be actively working with the head of the strategy and equities Stanley Yeo, and the broader investment team of 46 people as the organisation continues to transition from heritage offers to a combined solution.