Frontier Advisors undergoes staff restructure

Frontier Advisors has reshuffled much of its investment and research teams, resulting in several new roles and one senior exit.

Its investment governance and responsible investment arms have merged with the sector research program, with several branches representing different areas of asset class research. The alternatives research team has also been absorbed into the broader Defensives and Alternatives group, resulting in the departure of former Head of Alternatives, Michiel Swaak.

Under the sector research program Manish Rastogi, James Gunn and Joey Alcock remain as Head of Real Assets, Equities and Responsible Investment, respectively; Ian McMahon moves to the role of Head of Defensives and Alternatives; Sarah Cornelius was named the new Head of Investment Governance; and Marie Cardaci has been promoted to Deputy Head of Responsible Investment.

Paul Newfield will lead the entire program, with Principal Consultant Andrew Kemp to support as Deputy Director of Research and as private markets research lead.

The restructure follows Frontier’s recent release of its five-year strategy.

“There’s no doubt that both responsible investment and enhanced governance in investing are key areas of focus for asset owners. We think bringing our dedicated teams already working with clients in these areas directly into our research program will deliver further synergies and further integrate those insights and practices,” CEO, Andrew Polson, said.

“At the same time, we’re going to merge our teams researching in the alternatives and broader defensive classes to get a better holistic result with a bigger single team looking at a complete range of aligned investment ideas outside of the more traditional equities and real assets areas.

“It’s also exciting to be able to give added responsibility and promote some of our team who have shown great capability and commitment for the firm and our clients over a number of years.

Polson said the firm will also look to hire more staff in 2024 to expand their team of analysts, researchers and client consultants.

“We’re a people business. The quality of our team and the integrity of our unconflicted advice model is what our clients really value,” he said.

“So, we have to be very selective in finding the right people to join our team. That includes cultural fit as well as intellectual capability and work ethic. We have a strong record of finding and developing talent and I’m looking forward to that process. It’s exciting.”