Fidelity International appoints Director of Research

Fidelity International has announced the appointment of Viral Patel as the firm's Sydney-based director of research, effective 15 June 2018.

Patel, who will initially be responsible for a team of 10 Australian-based analysts, will report to Henk-Jan Rikkerink, the firm's global head of research.

Patel was most recently the head of Australian research at T. Rowe Price, a role that he was appointed to in 2011 and left in April this year. His previous roles include working as a research analyst at Bernstein, heading up strategic planning and major projects at Boral, and a three-year stint with consultancy firm McKinsey & Company.

Commenting on his appointment, Rikkerink said: "Fidelity International is passionate about delivering great active returns for our clients and we continue to invest in our global research platform in order to achieve this. Australia is an important and growing market for Fidelity International and so I am delighted to welcome someone of Viral's calibre to lead our Australia-based analyst team."

At T. Rowe Price his responsibilities have been absorbed by Ryan Martyn, who was promoted to associate director of research in April.