Australian Unity reorganises investments team

Australian Unity is reorganising its investments team. In a statement, wealth and capital markets CEO Esther Kerr-Smith says that she's been looking at ways to optimise the platform to achieve the organisation's future ambitions.

"As a result, and after thorough consultation across the W&CM platform and broader Australian Unity Group, I have decided to separate the Group and W&CM CIO responsibilities from the W&CM CEO role to augment our investment capability," said Kerr-Smith.

Australian Unity expects to announce the new CIO in the coming days.

The reorganisation will mean that Geraldine Barlow, executive general manager for investments, will depart the organisation. Her role's responsibilities will be moved to the CIO.

Barlow joined Australian Unity in 2016. She led the day-to-day investment activities of the investment team, leading the strategic realignment of the investments business unity.

Barlow told Industry Moves that she's proud of what she accomplished with the organisation, including the launch of the green bond fund and development of the AU Future of Healthcare Fund.

"On behalf of everyone at Australian Unity, I thank Geraldine for her sizeable contribution over the past four and a half years," said Kerr-Smith.

Before joining Australian Unity in 2016, Barlow held senior investment roles at Hastings Funds Management in the US and the New Mexico State Investment Council. She also held roles with Deutsche Asset Managment and LaSalle.