Q&As with Australian Catholic Super's new investment managers
After recently announcing the appointment of John Phokos as the investment manager for private markets at Australian Catholic Super (ACS), CEO Greg Cantor has announced the appointment of Chris Drew as the fund's investment manager for public markets. Cantor said that he is "delighted that two such high calibre individuals were able to join the fund and boost its investment capabilities at a time when returns are improving".
After recently announcing the appointment of John Phokos as the investment manager for private markets at Australian Catholic Super (ACS), CEO Greg Cantor has announced the appointment of Chris Drew as the fund's investment manager for public markets. Cantor said that he is "delighted that two such high calibre individuals were able to join the fund and boost its investment capabilities at a time when returns are improving".
Drew (pictured left) was previously an investment manager at Sunsuper, responsible for Australian and international equities. Phokos (pictured middle) commenced on June 1 and was previously a senior investment analyst at WorkCover NSW. Their appointments bring the total investment team members to five, including chief investment officer Michael Block (right) who joined the fund in December 2014, investment operations manager Paul Coenraads, and senior financial analyst Julie Woodley.
Industry Moves spoke with Chris Drew and John Phokos to find out what they're most looking forward to in their new roles and to get a glimpse of the men behind the moves.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Chris Drew - It's the people you work with that makes a job most enjoyable. I'm looking forward to joining a great team of like-minded individuals with sufficient scope to produce the returns that meet our member's needs.
John Phokos - It is a privilege to be part of an excellent team charged with the responsibility of providing robust investment outcomes for our members, and one that I relish. I enjoy working with others who also are also willing to challenge conventional wisdom, as well challenging my own views. I have much to look forward to.
How have your previous roles prepared you for this role?
Chris Drew - My career has been a gradual progression as I've assumed greater levels of responsibility along the way. I see this role as the next step in that progression and look forward to developing both personally and professionally at Australian Catholic Super.
John Phokos - I have quite an eclectic career history, covering: high school maths teacher; group insurance; defined benefit valuations; performance and analytics within custodian banks; and most recently at a government insurance fund managing bonds (both as a manager of managers and internal management), internal cash and starting up a hedge fund portfolio of managers. Each role has given me differing insights into total portfolio construction and investments in general, whether that is: awareness that members have a financial liability that needs to be satisfied in retirement; the need to manage and diversify equity risk; that members don't eat time weighted returns; and to be able to communicate our investment strategy effectively to our investment committee, board and ultimately our members.
What is one of the best pieces of advice you've ever been given?
Chris Drew - I've been given lots of great advice throughout my career. Early on I was told never to be afraid to ask questions that you think might appear stupid. Other advice that springs to mind is to never think you're in a position where you can stop learning. I also remember my PE teacher in school drilling in to us that practice makes PERMANENT. This was great advice as it puts the emphasis on doing the right type of practice to get the desired outcomes.
John Phokos - The golden rule immediately comes to mind, and very relevant for one working in a fiduciary capacity. We should be equally comfortable putting both our personal and loved ones money into our fund. Other advice that comes to mind include: to remain humble; to continue to evolve and seek improvement and knowledge; and to keep an open mind.
Who do you most admire and how have they influenced your life/work?
Chris Drew - From a professional perspective I admire people who challenge the norm and aren't afraid to take a stand. I think Steve Jobs was a fascinating individual as he refused to accept conventions and was never afraid to go in to battle for what he believed in. From the finance world I would look towards; Keynes for embracing equities when they were considered 'alternatives' and; Graham for developing what we now know as value investing.
John Phokos - I admire: my parents for teaching me to work hard and that I can achieve anything I put my mind to; my school teachers for inspiring my love of learning; and my karate and kobudo instructors for showing me that you don't have to be the best, but to be the best I can be....and to stay zen!
Where did you grow up?
Chris Drew - A small-ish seaside town in the South West of England called Weston-super-Mare (just south of Bristol and across the water from Cardiff). It's a favourite amongst UK holiday-makers and renowned for its pier and donkey rides on the beach... Look it up!
John Phokos - I grew up around Bankstown, in Sydney's south-west. It was a multicultural melting pot then, and still is.
What was your very first job?
Chris Drew - I worked on weekends in a newsagent while I was in school. My main memory of that was the 7am starts (which was pretty tough in the UK winter when it was barely above zero and sunrise was still an hour away) and having to get my dad out of bed every weekend to drive me there.
John Phokos - As a mail out clerk of various journals from Reed Elsevier's Australian division. It was called Business Press International back then. My father was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary and I was in high school.
Do you have a secret skill/hidden talent?
Chris Drew - Probably not very secret for anyone that knows me but football (the real one with the round ball) has always been my passion. Sadly, I never made it professionally, but did get invited to train at the FA School of Excellence in my younger days. #stilldreaming
John Phokos - I stopped karate as a 16 years old brown belt and picked it up again about four years ago (just a few years later) to rectify a distinct lack of exercise. I've recently been awarded a black belt and taken up kobudo. I'm never going to jump into a UFC ring, but I enjoy the challenge of self-improvement. I love that both my wife and I can train together. Arguments don't last too long in our household... Hopefully our boys will start training with us soon.
Is there a particular charity or cause that you support?
Chris Drew - One I hold dearly to my heart is the Indian Christian Mission Centre. It is an orphanage located in the rural Indian village of Salem. It is an amazing place that can house up to 2000 children at a time. I had the pleasure of visiting and working at the orphanage for 2 weeks back in 2008. The one thing that stood out to me during the trip was how happy people can be when they are without any of the possessions that we consider necessities.
John Phokos - I'm currently the treasurer of the Church that I attend and I have supported various local charities financially.
Read the Q&A with Michael Block when he commenced as the fund's chief investment officer.
