The ethical investment management company has announced the appointment of Natalie Kooyman as chief risk officer, who joins from Australian Super.
Kooyman brings more than 20 years’ experience within financial services, most recently serving as head of operational risk and controls at Australian Super.
She has previously held senior executive positions at AMP Capital, and senior risk and compliance roles at Perpetual, Deloitte (UK) and HSBC.
In a move to further strengthen the company’s executive team, Kooyman’s appointment follows that of Anthony Lane, who joined Australian Ethical as chief operating officer in November.
Commenting on the appointment, Australian Ethical CEO John McMurdo said the team was delighted to welcome Kooyman.
“Natalie is a highly experienced risk and compliance professional within our sector, and her role will be critical to our business as we continue to grow,” McMurdo said.
In her new capacity, Kooyman will report directly to McMurdo and act as a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for the company’s enterprise-wide risk management framework.
She succeeds Karen Hughes, who has served as chief risk officer since 2017 and who will move into the role of head of the superannuation trustee’s office.
Kooyman will commence the role on 9 February 2026 and said she is looking forward to joining the company next year.
“I feel very much aligned with the organisation’s purpose of investing for a better world. I am looking forward to leading the risk and compliance team as the business continues its growth journey.”
Her appointment also comes alongside Australian Ethical’s hiring of Dion Cooney as its new equities trader, who commenced on 1 December.
Bringing more than 25 years of industry experience, Cooney previously spent nearly six years as senior trader at AllianceBernstein and has held several international leadership roles at global financial technology firm ITG.
He reports directly to Australian Ethical’s head of equities, Nathan Parkin, who joined the team in July of this year.
Commenting on Cooney’s appointment, Parkin said: “We are fortunate to have someone of Dion’s calibre join the team as an Equities Trader. Dion’s expertise will enable an increased focus on trade execution, costs and liquidity management, ensuring we scale efficiently and provide investors with great value.”
He added that with the equities team currently overseeing more than $7 billion in funds under management (FUM), Cooney will collaborate closely with portfolio managers, allowing them to concentrate on stock research and portfolio construction.
Cooney said of joining Australian Ethical: “It’s an exciting time to join Australian Ethical and I look forward to helping the equities team deliver for investors while investing in line with the company’s 39-year-old Ethical Charter.”
