SSGA appoints Head of Retirement Solutions, Australia

State Street Global Advisors has appointed Jonathan Shead to the newly-created role of head of retirement solutions, Australia.

Based in Sydney, Shead will be responsible for building a new team, which the firm said will draw "on all of State Street Global Advisors' capabilities, to create innovative retirement investment solutions for the Australian market."

Shead has been part of the global portfolio strategy team since joining State Street in 2000, most recently as head of portfolio strategists for the Asia Pacific region. Prior to this, he was a consulting actuary to super funds, and is a regular speaker at Australian industry events.

Commenting on his new role, James MacNevin, head of State Street Global Advisors, Asia Pacific, said: "Jonathan brings not only a deep understanding of the investment challenges facing super funds and individual investors, but also expertise in product design, taxation, social security, administration and communication."

Shead will report to MacNevin and Nigel Aston, State Street Global Advisors' global head of defined contribution proposition and strategy in Boston.