Adele Swan will lead First Sentier Investors’ (FSI) people and culture function permanently after taking the position in an acting capacity in March.
Effective 24 June, she takes over from Melanie King, who was in the role for three years.
Swan first joined the firm in 2019 as a senior HR manager, later taking on the role of global head of talent, leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and being appointed acting chief people and culture officer earlier this year.
She brings three decades of experience across the spectrum of talent, people, and culture within the financial services to the role. Before joining FSI, Swan held roles with HSBC and Standard Life – now abrdn.
According to FSI, Swan has extensive experience in organisational design and development strategies, change management and HR operational delivery, which it deemed “critical” elements of the chief people and culture role.
She will be based in Edinburgh, reporting to chief executive Mark Steinberg.
Commenting on the new appointment, Steinberg commented: “Adele has been acting chief people and culture Officer over the past three months and has over this time demonstrated the dedication, leadership and vision required of this role.”
“She has a deep understanding and passion for talent and the importance of culture in creating a great employee experience. I am very pleased that we have been able to appoint Adele from within the business which showcases the talent and opportunities for progression that exists within our firm.”
In April, FSI confirmed it would be handing back some 6 per cent of its $238 billion funds under management following the closure of several funds.
This will amount to some $14 billion being returned to Australian investors as the firm implements changes to its investment capabilities in the country.
At the time, the firm clarified that some 30 investment professionals are affected and “a small number” of these will be redeployed within other roles at the business.
The CFS Wholesale Indexed Australian Bond Fund (CFSIL), which has $1.97 billion in assets under management, and the First Sentier Global Credit Income Fund (CFSIL), which sits at over $1 billion, remain open with alternate managers shared by CFSIL.
