PGIM hires new head of IRG in Australia and NZ

PGIM has announced the appointment of Murray Brewer as its new head of Institutional Relationship Group (IRG) for Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 March.

He would be based in Sydney and would be responsible for leading the firm’s growth plans and continued expansion of its institutional client base throughout the region.

Prior to joining PGIM, Brewer was country head of Australia for Capital Group and he also spent 14 years as country head of distribution for Australia and New Zealand for T. Rowe Price, where he was in charge for building its institutional and intermediary businesses and growing its AUM.

Before that, he was director and head of distribution for Australia at Schroders Investment Management, overseeing institutional and adviser-directed sales, client service, marketing and product development. He also previously worked at AMP Asset Management, Lloyds Bank, and Westpac Financial Services.

At PGIM, Brewer would help developing and implementing an institutional client strategy and would be working closely with all PGIM business units to bring its full suite of capability to Australian institutional investors — from fixed income, equity, quantitative investing and real estate to alternatives. He would report to Philip Hsin, head of IRG Asia Pacific (ex-Japan).

“Murray brings more than 30 years of experience in the investment management industry in Australia, where he’s built an impressive track record and developed a range of longstanding relationships with both investors and asset consultants,” Hsin said.

“As we continue to fuel growth and strengthen our institutional client network in the region, Murray will be a strong representative of our brand and our commitment to delivering superior long-term investment outcome for our clients.”

Last year, PGIM expanded its Australian business into the wholesale and private wealth markets with the appointment of Benjamin Price as head of Australia Wealth.

The firm said its growing investment footprint in the country across real estate and private capital reflected its position as one of the world’s largest managers of private market alternative assets.