Morningstar Australasia has announced new leadership for its Australasian managed fund research team with the appointment of co-heads Chris Douglas and Tim Murphy.
Douglas' responsibilities will include leading the fund manager review process, while Murphy will manage model portfolios and relationships with consulting and adviser clients.
Morningstar Australasia chief executive Andrew Bird said Douglas and Murphy will continue to drive forward improvements to the group's fund research processes, coverage and the services it provides to investors and financial advisers.
"An important part of their roles will be coordination of our local fund research efforts with Morningstar's other fund research teams globally, increasing our reach and ability to deliver quality, insightful research on offshore funds marketed in Australia."
Murphy and Douglas, who joined the company as fund research analysts in 2005 and 2006 respectively, take up their new positions following the appointment of Anthony Serhan to a new role within Morningstar Australasia.
The former head of the adviser and research division was made managing director of implemented consulting firm Intech, which Morningstar acquired in June 2009.
In the mean time, Intech analyst John Valtwies will join Douglas and Murphy on the fund research team as its new research analyst.
As part of the transition, Morningstar will also create an enhanced ratings committee structure, with members such as in-house fund research staff consultant and former head of equity research at Credit Suisse First Boston, Tony Young, and senior analysts from Morningstar's US fund research team, Bird said.
