The former director of Managed Investment Assessments (MIA) Anton Lawrence has resurfaced at listed Western Australian property fund manager Aspen Group.
Lawrence has taken up a newly created position at Aspen as chief investment officer, property securities after closing down his research house at the end of April.
Based in the group’s Melbourne office, Lawrence will develop a multi-fund product and evaluate fund management projects.
The company manages a diversified Australian property fund portfolio that includes commercial offices and holiday resorts.
“Anton has an in-depth understanding of the property funds management sector,” Aspen managing director Angelo Del Borrello said.
“Combined with the resources of Aspen [the appointment] provides a tremendous opportunity for us to expand both our product offering and distribution capabilities.”
Lawrence said he was looking forward to building on Aspen’s track record over the past five years.
“I am excited by the opportunity to create further leading edge property investments,” he said.
Lawrence co-founded MIA in January 2002 to provide property research.
He said he and business partner Kate Gymer decided to part ways on April 30 because compliance burdens were increasing and his passion for the business had died.
The hunt is on for a buyer of the research firm.
