Whineray takes the reins at NZ Super

New Zealand Super has appointed Matt Whineray chief executive, a role he’s been acting in since March.

Whineray joined the organisation 10 years ago as general manager of private markets; since 2014, he has been chief investment officer of the Guardians, the Crown entity charged with managing the investment of the NZ$38 billion NZ Super ($26.3 billion).

Whineray replaces Adrian Orr, the fund’s long-time chief executive who last year became the new governor of the Reserve Bank New Zealand.

NZ Super chair Catherine Savage says Whineray was the stand-out amid a high-quality field of international applicants.

“He has been instrumental in the Guardians’ successes over the last decade and is recognised globally as a leader in institutional investment,” Savage says. “The board has the utmost confidence in his leadership ability, intelligence and integrity.

“The board looks forward to seeing the NZ Super Fund continue to exemplify investment best practice and create value for taxpayers.”

Sponsored Content

In accepting the top role at NZ Super, Whineray thanked the board for its confidence in him and said he was delighted to take the leadership position.

“The NZ Super Fund is one of the most exciting places to work in institutional investment globally and I am looking forward to the challenge immensely,” Whineray says.

Whineray will take on his role in July. A new chief investment officer has not yet been announced.

NZ Super has most of its money invested internationally, with $30 billion in global markets and $5 billion in New Zealand across industries such as agriculture, farming, banking and aged care.

The fund’s one-year return was 20.7 per cent at the end of the 2017 financial year, with 4.37 per cent added above the passive reference portfolio benchmark. The fund’s 10-year return is 8.63 per cent and since inception it has returned 10.22 per cent.

For more stories on New Zealand Super click here 

Leave a Comment

Sort content by

Abu Dhabi looks starwards with space tourism investment

Aabar Investments, an investment company backed by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, has become the first external investor in commercial space carrier Virgin Galactic, buying a 32 per cent stake for $280 million. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Active management under pressure as US funds underperform

The alpha from active funds management was a massive -1.2 per cent before fees for US funds in 2008, a figure eight times below the average of 15 bps over 18 years, according to research by CEM Benchmarking. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Focus on income generation will yield most alpha: McCulley

Institutional investors should be looking to garner alpha from income-generating investments, rather than growth, as the “new normal” dictates that return expectations will be equal to about nominal GDP, according to managing director, Pimco, Paul McCulley. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Why emerging markets aren’t a tactical bet

Pension funds no longer view the emerging markets as a tactical play, instead considering the region a strategic allocation within their portfolios. Murray Davey, managing director and chief investment officer – global emerging markets at UK-based Rexiter tells Kristen Paech why.   mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Abu Dhabi SWF sends $1bn to Malaysia

The $14.7 billion Mubadala Development of Abu Dhabi is believed to be slating co-investments totalling $1 billion in the Malaysian energy, real estate and hospitality industries with a newly formed sovereign wealth fund from the Asian nation. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

US instos call for new authority on market risk

The Investors’ Working Group (IWG) has urged the US Government to set up an independent authority to monitor the activities and risk exposures of dominant financial institutions and advise regulators on ways to mitigate current and emerging risks in the financial system. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Previous