Published by Financial Standard – 17th Jan 2019
A global asset manager has appointed a new country head for its $4.5 billion Australian business.
Principal Global Investors Australia is welcoming Helen de Mestre in the top job. Mestre was previously a managing director, leading relationship management at the firm.
She steps into the role as Grant Forster leaves Principal after 12 years of steering the Australian business.
PGI’s executive director of international business and clients Kirk West said: “Helen brings rich knowledge and experience to her new role as head of Australia. She has spent her career working directly with clients to help them achieve their investment objectives.”
“As leader of our Australia operations, I am confident Helen will ensure the client voice remains at the center of what we do as we continue to serve the Australian market as we have since 2002,” West said.
West also said Forster was a significant contributor to PGI’s business, especially helping set up the European and Asian business. He worked in Hong Kong, the US and London before returning to Australia.
“We thank him for his contributions and wish him well in his next endeavours,” West said.
Principal Global Investors manages $4.5 billion on behalf of Australian institutional and retail clients across real estate, global equities and fixed income.
