Former Perpetual fundie lands at Australian Ethical



Australian Ethical has named its new head of equities, who previously spent 12 years at Perpetual.
The $13 billion ethical investment manager announced Nathan Parkin has been appointed to the head of equities position, commencing on 13 June 2025.
He brings over three decades of experience working in Australia’s financial markets, including 12 years at Perpetual most notably. This included managing up to $6.5 billion in Australian equities portfolios as its deputy head of equities.
Moreover, Parkin co-founded Ethical Partners Funds Management in 2018, a boutique fund manager that closed up shop last year after six years.
In his new role at Australian Ethical, Parkin will lead the firm’s equities team and contribute to the development of its global and domestic equities strategies, product offering, and distribution activity.
“We have been investing in our investment capability in a disciplined way over the past five years and Nathan’s appointment is yet another milestone in the execution of our strategy,” commented Ludovic Theau, chief investment officer at Australian Ethical.
“Nathan brings a depth of knowledge and expertise in responsible investment leadership, and his appointment builds on the exceptional talent we already have. He will play a critical role in continuing to deliver on our conviction that ethical investment delivers strong long-term performance.”
The incoming equities head said he was excited to join Australian Ethical, adding: “I look forward to helping Australian Ethical continue to provide excellence in ethical investment, on behalf of those wanting to exercise genuine choice.
“Its philosophy also aligns with my belief that capital markets have a critical role in encouraging corporates to further their net zero ambitions.”
According to the fund manager, Parkin’s appointment follows its acquisition of sustainable fixed income manager Altius Asset Management and its team of seven last September.
The company also hired Adam Roberts as its head of private markets in 2024 to oversee its existing private markets portfolio. This spans across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, private credit and venture capital.
Speaking with Money Management earlier this year on the asset class, Roberts said: “We are seeing a lot of interest and feedback about private markets, so we are thinking about how can we provide a solution for wholesale capital in that space?
“It’s not straightforward as it is very nuanced so we think our brand and our portfolio is appealing to people, so we are looking at what will work and how we can unlock that for them.”
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