Fortnum appoints new investment chair

The company has appointed Douglas Funds Consulting chief executive Nigel Douglas as the new investment and insurance committee chairman, overseeing the firm’s investment business – which encompasses managed discretionary account services.

Mr Douglas is the chief executive of his own independent research firm Douglas Funds Consulting, which provides funds research across traditional asset classes.

His experience in financial markets, research, asset allocation and macroeconomics spans more than 30 years.

Before setting up his research firm in 2015, Mr Douglas was senior manager, mandate research at ANZ and head of private wealth investment research at Perpetual Limited before that.

Prior to those roles, he spent nine years between 2001 and 2010 at van Eyk Research where he was head of research after he departed Merrill Lynch Australia as its chief economist.

“Nigel’s extensive experience in the financial services industry, coupled with his research experience, will benefit our growing list of practices,” said Fortnum managing director Neil Younger.

Commenting on his own appointment, Mr Douglas said he was “particularly looking forward to working with Fortnum”.

“The Fortnum committee runs a rigorous research process and we’ll be continuing to identify well-structured investments and working more effectively to generate better portfolios for advisers and their clients,” Mr Douglas said.

“The role gives me the opportunity to provide independent, well-researched advice to a growing group of advice-driven practices.”