JBWere’s McKay heads south to Synergy

JBWere Investment Managementhead of retail Jim McKay has announced he will head upChallenger Financial Services Group’s Tasmania-based master trust provider,Synergy Capital Management.

The Tasmanian posting will represent a home-coming for McKay, who grew up and was educated in the Apple Isle.

However, McKay says his decision to accept the position of managing director in Tasmania was based more on the opportunities and potential the job provided than the prospect of returning to his old stamping ground in Hobart.

“Returning to Tasmania was not the primary reason for accepting the position, the opportunity provided by Challenger was the main attraction,” McKay says.

“Tasmania is obviously a good place to operate and with our competitive advantage, there is certainly the potential to grow.”

He says he regards Challenger under Chris Cuffe as an exciting opportunity.

McKay will report to Challenger’s general manager for distribution and service strategy Rob Adams, and replaces Mike Farrell who opted to leave the group to return to his own consultancy business.

In his role with JBWere, McKay was responsible for developing, customising and delivering investment solutions and services for advisers and their clients, as well as being responsible for JBWere’s product management, strategic product relationships and media relations.

McKay will take up his new role in Hobart on August 18.