In joining the law firm, Alan Darwin is bringing with him nearly three decades’ experience in investment banking, asset management, financial product development, investment platform management, corporate strategy, and regulatory compliance.
He worked at ASIC between 1991 and 1998 as a policy lawyer, moving on to BT Australia Investment Bank as a compliance manager.
Between 1999 to 2011, Mr Darwin was an executive director for equity derivatives as well as vice president and head of Asia-Pacific Equities compliance at JP Morgan.
He held the role of principal at consulting business BenchMarkets where he developed policy frameworks and helped developed SMA lending platforms with two major financial institution clients.
Between 2014 and 2017, he was LINEAR chief executive of Trustee Services, where he managed the trustee and responsible entity of a $1.5 billion managed investment scheme-based investment platform.
In his new role, he provides advice to financial institutions, platform providers, investment banks, trustees and intermediaries on areas relating to financial services, products and markets.
Commenting on the appointment, Baker McKenzie head of financial services and funds for Australia Bill Fuggle said: “He comes highly regarded and at the top of his game having held impressive roles throughout his career to date.
“Ultimately, his strong commercial focus with experience in the field was a great match.”
Baker McKenzie head of corporate for Australia Ben McLaughlin added that he was delighted Mr Darwin had joined the firm.
“Alan will bring an outstanding skill-set to assist our clients,” he said.
Mr Darwin also commented on his own appointment, saying that the Baker McKenzie brand was “already well known and attractive” to him.
“Combine this with the knowledge that many highly regarded in house counsel had come from impressive financial institutions to work in private practice at the firm also says a great deal,” he said.
“Ultimately, the global platform, calibre of talent and ability to work with the world’s leading companies operating or investing in and out of Australia, was too good an opportunity to pass up on.”
