Grace is co-head of Australian equities and portfolio manager for the Australian Emerging Leaders Fund and has worked at the firm since 2001. He will continue in these capacities until the end of 2024.
With this, David Lloyd has been appointed as portfolio manager on the Australian Emerging Leaders Fund and will work alongside Grace until his departure to form an orderly transition.
“John has done a wonderful job for the business and for our clients over many years. We wish him a very well deserved and happy retirement,” said chief investment officer Paul Xiradis.
As a result of the move, the firm has made several internal changes to its Australian equities management which will take effect from 1 July.
Nicholas Condoleon has been appointed as deputy head of equities, Australian long only and will remain as a portfolio manager on the Ausbil Active Sustainable Equity Fund. Mans Carlsson, head of ESG at the firm, has been appointed as co-manager on the fund.
Gian Pandit has been appointed as deputy head of equities, Australian delta adjusted, and as portfolio manager on the 130/30 Focus and Long Short Focus Fund, supported by Chris Smith.
David Lloyd and Arden Jennings are appointed as co-head of emerging companies. Jennings will also jointly manage the small and micro-cap strategies with Andrew Peros and have Tom Cutler as co-portfolio manager and Beyhan Irmako as equity analyst on small and micro-caps.
Chris Smith has been appointed as head of equities research in an oversight capacity with Stella McMullen as his deputy on the day-to-day stock research and earnings models.