Boutique global equities manager opens local office

Connecticut-based Sustainable Growth Advisers (SGA) has appointed Deana Leong as client portfolio manager and head of the firm's newly-opened Sydney office.

The local office "demonstrates SGA's commitment to serving the Australian and New Zealand institutional markets", the firm said, and "meets the growing requirements of its clients and prospects."

Leong, who will join SGA's investment committee and report directly to founding partner George Fraise, has over nine years' industry experience, with five of those in manager research.

Most recently, Leong was a senior research analyst within Perpetual Private's multi-manager investment team responsible for global equities. Prior to that, she was an investment analyst with Ibbotson Associates (now Morningstar Investment Management).

Commenting on the firm's expansion, Fraise said: "Opening an office in Australia has long formed a part of our business plan; Australian and New Zealand investors share our belief in high-conviction, active portfolios and look out over a similar time horizon of 3-5 years."

He added: "We are thrilled to have Deana representing SGA in this important market."