Tim Humphreys, Jon Reyes and Paul Johnston have been recruited by Ausbil Investment Management to form a new global listed infrastructure team – along with a fourth member who will be announced “in due course”.
Mr Humphreys joins as a portfolio manager with 20 years of experience, including time at AMP Capital, RARE and Rothschild Asset Management.
Mr Reyes – who has 15 years of experience at AMP Capital, RARA and Bear Sterns – joins as co-portfolio manager and head of transportation.
Mr Johnston will cover utilities for the new Ausbil strategy and brings 20 years of experience, including time at RBC Capital Markets and CBA.
The team will report to Ausbil chief executive Ross Youngman, who took over from Paul Xiradis as Ausbil chief executive in February 2017.
Mr Youngman said the infrastructure strategy is being launched in response to client demand for exposure to the global infrastructure theme.
“We’re a decade into the global economic recovery with positive implications for global infrastructure,” Mr Youngman said.
“The team, starting in early July will be led by Tim and Jon, who have worked closely together for around 10 years,” he said.
Ausbil executive chairman and head of equities Paul Xiradis said the firm would continue to focus on equities with a “laser-like focus”.
“At the same time, we wish to assist our clients with high quality global solutions and this announcement is consistent with that. Our domestic equity strategies may invest in infrastructure so we see synergies with the new global team,” Mr Xiradis said.
Ausbil saw the departure of microcap managers Tony Waters and Chris Prunty in April 2017, leading the firm to temporarily suspend redemptions from the fund.
Portfolio management for the Ausbil microcap fund was transitioned to co-head of equities John Grace and microcap specialist analyst Josh Clark on 27 April 2017.
The microcap fund is now run by portfolio manager Mason Willoughby-Thomas and co-portfolio manager Arden Jennings.
