Fund manager U Ethical Investors has appointed Stuart James as head of distribution.
Joining the firm’s leadership team, James brings around three decades of experience, having spent 23 years at Aberdeen Standard Investments in the UK and Sydney as well as roles at Apostle and TIP Group.
In taking the role at U Ethical, he will rejoin former colleague Brett Jollie who took up the CEO role in April from Mathew Browning who departed after eight years. Jollie was previously CEO of Aberdeen’s Australian business for 14 years within a 24-year career at the firm.
James spent the bulk of his career at Aberdeen Standard Investments where he started as a customer services manager in the UK in 1996. He went on to spend more than 23 years at the firm and was a director and head of marketing and business strategy when he left in 2020.
Since leaving, he has worked as general manager of distribution and director, head of wholesale, at Apostle Funds Management, as well as head of distribution and managing director of Lakehouse Capital.
In his new role, he will be responsible for leading U Ethical’s distribution, marketing and client services functions, utilising his expertise and proven track record to support the firm as it “enters the next phase of its growth strategy”.
Based in Sydney, James commenced in the role on 16 June.
Jollie said: “Stuart combines deep technical expertise across funds management with a strong understanding of the drivers of successful asset management businesses. He is a person of integrity, sound judgement and humility who builds strong relationships and leads in a thoughtful and collaborative manner.
“Stuart is excited about the opportunity ahead and his values align closely with what U Ethical stands for. He understands that our purpose is not just our point of difference – it is the foundation from which we intend to grow.”
In April, the firm appointed an international equity manager in Sam Wyatt who joins from London-based manager Mondrian Investment Partners where he was a senior portfolio manager.
At U Ethical, he will play a key role within U Ethical’s investment team, contributing to idea generation and portfolio construction across international equities, with a particular focus on assessing opportunities and risks across international markets.
