Schroders Australia CEO to depart

Schroders has announced that Greg Cooper will be stepping down as chief executive officer of Australia at the end of 2018.

Cooper has spent the last 18 years at Schroders, having first joined the firm's London office as a product manager for Japanese equities. He was appointed as the Australian head of distribution in 2001 and in 2004 took the reins as head of product for the Asia Pacific. He was appointed CEO of Australia in 2006.

He will be succeeded by Chris Durack, former Australian head of distribution and current CEO of Schroders Hong Kong, who will be returning to Australia to assume the role.

Commenting on the succession, Lieven Debruyne, CEO Asia Pacific, said: "Our Australian business has been incredibly successful over the last 20 years, to which Greg Cooper has made an invaluable contribution. As Greg leaves the business we are pleased to have an individual of Chris's strength to succeed Greg. Chris has been a significant part of the success in Australia during his time as Head of Distribution and will ensure continuity and growth of the business into the future."

Cooper added: "I am very proud to have had the opportunity to lead such a high performing business for a long period of time and I am confident that under Chris' leadership it will go from strength to strength. I am particularly indebted to my colleagues across the Australian business and it's been a pleasure to work with them so successfully for such a long period of time."