Watson Wyatt has hired Ross Barry and Anna Weickart to its investment consulting team.
Barry will take on the job as head of portfolio construction and diversity, replacing Michael Blayney who departed the firm in October.
In the newly-expanded role, Barry will also oversee the research of both unlisted and listed alternative investments including hedge funds, property, private equity, infrastructure and commodities.
The portfolio construction team was established in September in a bid to link the firm’s investment strategy with its manager research teams.
Barry previously worked at Sovereign Investment research as co-head of alternative investments.
As a manager and research consultant, Weickart will focus on Australian equities and will also join the firm’s global listed property manager research team.
Weickart previously worked at Macquarie Funds Management as a product manager in the firm’s real estate securities division.
“We are thrilled that Ross and Anna have joined our investment consulting team. These appointments are yet another indication of our commitment to bring the best talent into our team,” Watson Wyatt head of investment consulting Graeme Miller said.
Watson Wyatt now has 31 people working in the consulting team.
