AustralianSuper cements Americas presence with new personnel

AustralianSuper has announced a raft of new appointments and personnel changes as it looks to press on with expanding its investment capabilities in the Americas.

The superannuation fund, now managing close to $350 million in retirement savings, has appointed Mikaël Limpalaër as its new New York-based Head of Americas, alongside Maria Reed appointed as Head of Fund Services, Americas; Damien Mitchell and Andrew Osborne as Senior Investment Directors, Real Assets; and Matthew Choi as Senior Investment Director, Private Credit.

First joining AustralianSuper in 2011, Head of Private Credit Nick Ward has relocated to New York to support the newly formed team with over 100 years of combined experience.

Damian Moloney, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, said the region was of “great strategic importance” given 30 per cent of member assets were currently invested in North America.

“To help members achieve their best financial position in retirement we need to have an on the ground presence in global financial centres to access the best quality investment opportunities,” he said.

“By strengthening our senior team in New York, we can continue to build a best-in-class investment platform in the US across Real Assets, Private Credit and Private Equity, with the aim of delivering sustainable long-term performance for more than 3.4 million members.

“We have around 60 professionals in New York and expect the team to grow to more than 120 by 2026. Enhancing our capability in North America will allow the Fund to target further opportunities to generate excellent returns for members.”

Limpalaër has been based in London with AustralianSuper since 2020, having also moved to New York to develop and lead the European Private Credit team.

“AustralianSuper will always be strongly committed to investing in the Australian economy but as the Fund grows there is an increasing need to expand in global financial centres such as New York,” he said.

“Having local teams on the ground in key markets helps us build relationships with world class partners and source attractive investment opportunities for members.”