AMP Capital is the latest fund manager to suffer from staff defections with the departure of two senior members from its investment team.
The firm's head of capital funds John Whiteman and small caps manager Mike Cowin resigned last week.
AMP confirmed on Friday that Whiteman, a 17-year veteran of the firm, was taking an extended leave before pursuing other plans. Cowin has joined a funds management boutique.
Gary Armor will take on Whiteman's duties while a replacement is found and will work with chief investment officer Mark O'Brien.
Michael Hughes will replace Comin as small caps manager. He was formerly an investment analyst with AMP Capital.
Morningstar funds analyst Chris Douglas said: "With so many people moving about it would be hard to find suitable talent to run the team.
"It's disappointing for AMP to lose these guys. It had the makings of a stable and solid equities team, but not any more," Douglas said.
Standard & Poor's Fund Services (S&P) placed the two AMP Capital equity funds on hold.
"This latest resignation brings the number of senior staff departures from Australian equity teams this calendar year to 33," S&P fund analyst Marcus Hanel said.
"AMP has now joined the ranks of most of its competitors in the battle to retain key investment professionals."
