... while others are on assignment

JOHN Spence, legendary source of the John Spence Award for the most jobs held in one year, has been in Hong Kong for the past three years working as vice-president, Mutual Funds Development Asia with Canadian-based firm, Manulife.

Spence was employed at Manulife by fellow Australian Trevor Matthews, who had hired him at least twice before — first at Legal & General (L&G) and then at the National Australia Bank (NAB).

It therefore goes without saying that Matthews, a former NAB and L&G heavyweight, is himself in absentia. Three years ago he was recruited to head up Manulife’s Canadian business and is now in Tokyo, sorting out the group’s Japanese operation.

And who can forget Dr Don Stammer, Deutsche Bank’s chief economist for a staggering 20 years from 1981 to 2001?

Stammer is now a director of New Zealand’s Sustainable Investments Research Institute, although he also doubles as a director ofING Australia.

Michael Migro, one time head of retail atWestpac Financial Services, has just set out for the good old USA to take on the role of chief operating officer for Principal Global Investors in New York.

And a big welcome back to Paul Bedbrook who has just returned from the land of the maple leaf where he headed ING Direct’s Canadian operations.

Bedbrook will now take the top job at ING Australia, following the departure of John Wylie.