Vanguard has announced the creation of two new divisions and outlined a new structure bringing together its two retail direct businesses (superannuation and non-superannuation).
Renae Smith, former chief customer experience and operations officer at AIA, would join the team as chief of personal investor. She would be responsible for a new division focused on Vanguard’s retail strategy, client growth, member and investor experience, and operations.
Meanwhile, Curt Jacques, current head of risk in Australia, was named head of product offer, where he would lead a new division responsible for the ongoing development and offer design of Vanguard’s Australian product suite, including Vanguard’s Personal Investor platform and Superannuation product offer. He would also oversee product pricing, health of the portfolio, governance, disclosure and business enablement.
His previous role would be filled by Lakshi Prabhakaran as head of enterprise risk Australia, who would join the executive team in an expanded role with a remit for risk matters related to both super and non-super.
Additionally, Vanguard Investments Australia’s head of human resources, Maxim Tambling, was named lead of the talent strategy and development function for the Vanguard Group. In this role, he would work from the business’s Pennsylvania headquarters.
Maxim would be replaced by Rebecca Supierz, who made the move from Latitude Financial Services, where she had been general manager of people and communications.
According to Daniel Shrimski, managing director of Vanguard Investments Australia, the firm is working to evolve its capabilities and service offerings to meet the evolving financial needs of Australians.
“Whether it’s policy, tax, economic, or market forces at play, Australians increasingly have to consider the right avenues of investment both inside and outside of the super system in order to effectively progress their financial goals,” he said.
“We’ve spent the past few years building out a high-quality, low-cost, whole-of-wealth solution for all Australians while continuing to enhance our offer to financial advisers.
“It’s just the beginning for Vanguard Super, with a strong start seeing over $500 million in assets under management to date, while our investor platform service has gone from strength to strength through the ongoing enhancement of our product and service offering.”
Meanwhile, Balaji Gopal, who has led the strategic development and rollout of the business’s Personal Investor platform since 2020, will continue to serve as acting head of financial adviser services.
Shannon Nutter, who played a key leadership role in developing, launching and leading Vanguard Super, would also continue to lead the Super team prior to her planned return to the US later this year.
