Stephanie Weston joined Australian superannuation fund HESTA as head of portfolio design.
Ms. Weston, who began the role Thursday at the Melbourne-based fund, will report to CIO Sonya Sawtell-Rickson. The appointment to the newly created position marks a crucial step in the A$50 billion ($34.3 billion) superfund's efforts to create teams and capabilities for the direct management of its assets, according to a news release.
Ms. Weston will focus on the top-down aspects of HESTA's portfolios, including construction and risk analysis, economic and market research, and strategic tilting.
"Our new investment leadership team structure is part of our ambitious and broad strategy to internalize asset management and continue delivering excellent performance for our members over the long term," Ms. Sawtell-Rickson said in the release.
The superfund is also set to announce a new head of portfolio management.
Ms. Weston was a member of AustralianSuper's investment committee, the release stated. The superfund reported A$180 billion in retirement assets at the start of February.