George Moromalos will join Perpetual Investments in Sydney as head of research and consultant relationships, effective Sept. 22.
The position is new.
Mr. Moromalos’ role — liaising with research houses that rate Perpetual’s funds, such as Morningstar, as well as with asset consultants — consolidates retail and institutional efforts that had been handled separately before, said Dean Winterton, general manager distribution with Perpetual Investments, in a telephone interview.
Kyle Lidbury, who previously oversaw the firm’s retail-focused ties with research houses, took on a new role in May as head of investment research with Perpetual Private, the firm’s high-net-worth investor-focused business. Perpetual Investments’ institutional sales team, meanwhile, previously oversaw the firm’s relationships with asset consultants.
Mr. Winterton said the growing “institutionalization” of Australia’s retail market — with gatekeepers there increasingly applying the same metrics as investment consultants — made it possible to have one executive looking after both sides of the business.
Mr. Moromalos was vice president, manager business development at State Street Global Advisors in Sydney. State Street spokeswoman Kate Fields said Peter Mitchell, managing director and head of relationship management, will continue to lead SSgA’s relationship management effort and business development activities in Australia. Ms. Fields declined to comment regarding plans to fill the position Mr. Moromalos held.
