The Team
As a firm, we owe our success to the support of our clients and the dedication of our staff. Platinum today employs more than 100 professionals, and each one of us is driven by the same core mission – to look after our clients’ money ably and responsibly. This is true not only of our investment team, but is also what steers our client services and operational teams.
As Platinum’s business grows and expands, we have been recruiting progressively to augment the talent of the firm. The investment team now consists of 34 analysts and portfolio managers (as at 30 June 2022), though since the firm’s inception our investment philosophy has remained unchanged and our methodology consistent. We have refined the structure of the team to ensure that our investment process achieves the optimal combination of individual expertise and accountability with collective acumen and experience. This is realised through several key attributes:
- Collaboration and cohesion – our analysts and portfolio managers are organised into six sector/regional teams, with the investment ideas generated by each team feeding into various portfolios. These sector/regional teams are supported by a group of quant analysts and dealers who analyse macroeconomic data, monitor market sentiments, and contribute both stock ideas and execution strategy using quantitative tools. Our portfolio managers are first and foremost analysts and continue to research stocks. This organisational structure, including having all of our team members located in a single office, is designed to foster a collaborative environment and promote the free flow of information between analysts with different geographic and industry specialisations while also ensuring that everyone maintains a clear research focus and accountability. Regular intra- and cross-sector team meetings and the use of digital information repositories facilitate the open exchange of insights and sharing of resources which are critical to making investment decisions within a global context and for the avoidance of myopic biases.
- Diverse backgrounds and unconventional thinking – our team includes analysts from a broad range of professional and cultural backgrounds, bringing with them unique industry experience, be it biomedical research or mining engineering, and varied perspectives. We encourage – in fact, require – idiosyncratic thinking from our analysts in order to pin-point what the market may have missed.
- Longevity and continuity – One of the four founding members of the investment team from 1994 continue to serve clients by investing. They also play an active role in mentoring newer members of the team and passing down Platinum’s values as well as the craft and know-how. It is true that over the years we have seen analysts come and go – not everyone is suited to our investment style. But we have also had plenty of talents coming through the ranks – all of our portfolio managers have been promoted organically from within the team. Members of the investment team have on average been with the firm for more than nine years while the eight portfolio managers’ average tenure with the firm is 16 years (current as of 30 June 2022).
Client Team
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Elizabeth Norman
Investor Services and Communications DirectorElizabeth Norman, BA (Canberra), GradDip Financial Planning (FINSIA)Liz has been an integral part of the investor services and communications team since Platinum’s founding and has been the company’s link with our clients from the very beginning.
Liz began her career at Bankers Trust, working on new product development, and later joining the retail funds management team where she worked closely with Kerr and Andrew. She joined Platinum in February 1994 as Investor Services and Communications Manager.
Liz’s appointment to the Board in 2013 as Director of Investor Services and Communications reflects the firm’s ever-greater focus on its widening client base and a strong commitment to supporting retail and institutional clients with dedicated investment specialists.
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Charles Brooks
Investment Specialist (Institutional)Charles Brooks, BA Hons (Manchester), MAppFin (Macquarie)Charles joined Platinum in 2014 as an investment specialist. Having previously worked in similar capacities at IFM Investors and Northward Capital / nabInvest, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the specialised needs, objectives and processes of institutional investors.
Charles began his career in finance at Morgan Grenfell Asset Management in London. After backpacking around the world, he settled in Sydney and took up investment analyst and fund management roles at United Funds Management and later at MLC Investment Management.
At Platinum, Charles’ role focuses on serving as a conduit between our investment team on the one hand and our institutional clients and asset consultants on the other.
Chief Investment Officers
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Andrew Clifford
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Chief Investment OfficerAndrew Clifford, BCom Hons (UNSW), Dip (FINSIA)Andrew co-founded Platinum in 1994 as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer, having worked alongside Kerr Neilson for several years at Bankers Trust and perfecting the craft of uncovering the overlooked gems in the stock market. Andrew believed that irrational market sentiments and the consequential short-term volatility can often lead to opportunity in companies whose true worth is temporarily under-appreciated. The approach worked for Andrew at Bankers Trust where the BT Select Market Trust – Pacific Basin Fund that he managed was a great success, and he has been applying and refining the same methodology over 25 years to generate strong returns for Platinum’s investors.
Since taking over the role of Chief Investment Officer in 2013, Andrew has spent considerable time and effort on improving the organisational structure of the gradually-expanding investment team to make the execution of our investment process more seamless and efficient. Andrew’s investment experience at Platinum has included managing/co-managing the Platinum International Technology Fund, the Platinum Asia Fund and the Platinum International Fund. He currently co-manages Platinum’s Global strategies and Asia ex-Japan strategies. Andrew took over the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Platinum Group in July 2018. -
Clay Smolinski
Co-Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio ManagerClay Smolinski, BCom (Murdoch)Graduating as dux of Finance from university and a brief stint as an accountant at Grant Thornton gave Clay the grounding to deconstruct financial statements. Having started as an analyst at Platinum in 2006, Clay went on to manage the Platinum European Fund in 2009 and become sector lead of the financials and services team. Clay currently manages the Platinum Global Fund as well as co-manages Platinum’s Global strategies alongside Andrew Clifford. He is the leader of the technology and communications sector team.
Clay was promoted to co-Chief Investment Officer in April 2021.
Head of Investment
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Douglas Isles
Head of InvestmentDouglas Isles, FFA, FIAA, MA Math (Trinity College, Cambridge)Douglas initially joined Platinum in May 2003 as an investment analyst covering industrials and as primary communicator for advisor presentations. He previously worked for CBA as a product actuary and prior to this as an investment manager for Aegon Asset Management in the UK. Douglas left Platinum in October 2008 to work in Singapore where he helped develop Standard Chartered Bank’s equities broking business.
Douglas rejoined Platinum in February 2013, as Investment Specialist, acting as an intermediary between the investment team and Australia/NZ based advisers. Over time he built a team to support this effort, and since 2017 he has, in addition, been introducing Platinum to US-based investors. Douglas was appointed as Head of Investment in March 2022 and is responsible for the investment team’s process and people. He has been a member of the firm’s Management Committee since 2013.
Head of Stewardship
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Julia Bailey
Head of StewardshipJulia Bailey, BSc (Kings College London)Julia joined Platinum in February 2023 in a newly created role in our investment team, Head of Stewardship.
She was most recently Head of Advocacy Strategy and Senior Research Analyst at Melior Investment Management (part of Adamantem Group) from 2018-2023.
Previously she worked within equity research at Perpetual and Citi, after migrating to Sydney in 2006. She started her career at Lehman Brothers in London.
Portfolio Managers
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Andrew Clifford
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Chief Investment OfficerAndrew Clifford, BCom Hons (UNSW), Dip (FINSIA)Andrew co-founded Platinum in 1994 as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer, having worked alongside Kerr Neilson for several years at Bankers Trust and perfecting the craft of uncovering the overlooked gems in the stock market. Andrew believed that irrational market sentiments and the consequential short-term volatility can often lead to opportunity in companies whose true worth is temporarily under-appreciated. The approach worked for Andrew at Bankers Trust where the BT Select Market Trust – Pacific Basin Fund that he managed was a great success, and he has been applying and refining the same methodology over 25 years to generate strong returns for Platinum’s investors.
Since taking over the role of Chief Investment Officer in 2013, Andrew has spent considerable time and effort on improving the organisational structure of the gradually-expanding investment team to make the execution of our investment process more seamless and efficient. Andrew’s investment experience at Platinum has included managing/co-managing the Platinum International Technology Fund, the Platinum Asia Fund and the Platinum International Fund. He currently co-manages Platinum’s Global strategies and Asia ex-Japan strategies. Andrew took over the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Platinum Group in July 2018. -
Clay Smolinski
Co-Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio ManagerClay Smolinski, BCom (Murdoch)Graduating as dux of Finance from university and a brief stint as an accountant at Grant Thornton gave Clay the grounding to deconstruct financial statements. Having started as an analyst at Platinum in 2006, Clay went on to manage the Platinum European Fund in 2009 and become sector lead of the financials and services team. Clay currently manages the Platinum Global Fund as well as co-manages Platinum’s Global strategies alongside Andrew Clifford. He is the leader of the technology and communications sector team.
Clay was promoted to co-Chief Investment Officer in April 2021. -
Nikola Dvornak
Portfolio ManagerNikola Dvornak, BCom Hons (Auckland), MCom Hons (Melbourne)Nik joined Platinum in 2006 as an analyst in the financials and services sector. He was appointed co-manager of the Platinum European Fund in 2014 and sole manager in 2017. In April 2021, Nik became a co-manager of Platinum’s global strategies along with Andrew Clifford and Clay Smolinski. He remains co-manager of the Platinum European Fund and continues to cover the financials and services sector.
Before joining Platinum, Nik worked as an analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and Commonwealth Securities.
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Dr Bianca Ogden
Portfolio ManagerDr Bianca Ogden, MBio (Tübingen), PhD (University College London)Bianca embarked on a career change in 2003 and joined Platinum as an investment analyst. Her rich knowledge base in molecular biology and first-hand insights into the pharmaceutical and biotech industry give her a unique ability to delve deeply into the fundamentals of healthcare companies and identify those with a solid foundation in scientific research.
Bianca has been the portfolio manager of the Platinum International Health Care Fund since 2007 and leads the healthcare sector team. Prior to joining Platinum, Bianca worked at Swiss pharmaceuticals company, Novartis, researching new HIV drugs. Bianca went on to complete a PhD at UCL, investigating Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. She then joined Johnson & Johnson in Australia as a molecular biologist, researching new drug targets in oncology.
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James Halse
Portfolio ManagerJames Halse, CFA, BA, LLB Hons, LLM Hons (Auckland)Jamie joined Platinum in 2011 as an analyst covering consumer stocks and became portfolio manager of the Platinum International Brands Fund in 2017, as well as heading up the consumer sector team. In April 2021, Jamie was appointed as portfolio manager for the Platinum Japan Fund overseeing Platinum’s Japan and Korean strategies.
Jamie graduated from a Master of Laws in Commercial Law with first class Honours, but he had always had a keen interest in investing. Working as a tax consultant at Deloitte gave him exposure to the challenges of company strategy and strengthened his resolve to become a professional investor. Prior to Platinum Jamie spent several years as an equity analyst at CP2 (formerly Capital Partners). -
Cameron Robertson
Portfolio ManagerCameron Robertson, CFA, BSc Hons (USyd), MAppFin (Macquarie)Cameron joined Platinum in 2010, initially focusing on resources and industrial companies, and later on the technology and communications sectors.
In early 2017, Cameron was appointed as co-manager of the Platinum International Technology Fund and was later the sector lead of the technology and communications team. In April 2021, Cameron was appointed a co-manager of Platinum’s Asia ex Japan strategy. Prior to Platinum he worked as an equity analyst at CP2 (formerly Capital Partners) for several years. -
Alessandro Barbi
GeneralistAlessandro Barbi, BBus Adm Hons (Bocconi University, Milan), GradDip AppFinInv (FINSIA)Alex is an industry veteran and a long-time member of the Platinum team. After spending five years honing his skills as an investment analyst with a focus on the telecommunications and IT sectors, Alex was appointed the portfolio manager of the Platinum International Technology Fund in 2003.
Alex began his professional career as an investment analyst at Istituto Mobiliare Italiano, where he progressed through various corporate finance and funds management roles. After coming to Australia, Alex worked as a manager in the corporate finance department at Coopers & Lybrand before joining Platinum in 1998. -
Adrian Cotiga
Portfolio ManagerAdrian Cotiga, BCom (Romania), MCom (UNSW)Adrian was appointed co-manager of the Platinum European Fund in April 2021. Adrian joined Platinum in 2015 as an investment analyst in the Asia regional team. In December 2019, he moved to the financials and services sector team and continues as team leader.
Previously, Adrian worked as a program manager at Lloyds Banking Group and Westpac. Prior to that, Adrian had spent several years in management consulting roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Capgemini.
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Kirit Hira
Portfolio ManagerKirit Hira, BEng, BCom (Melbourne)Kirit joined Platinum in 2016 as an investment analyst in the industrials and resource sector team. In December 2019, he joined the Asia regional team and became a co-portfolio manager of the Asia ex Japan strategies in October 2022. Previously, Kirit spent eight years at Macquarie Group as an oil and gas analyst covering the Australian energy sector and global gas markets. Prior to that, Kirit had worked at AMP Capital in Sydney and completed an internship at ExxonMobil in Melbourne.
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Jimmy Su
Portfolio ManagerJimmy Su, CFA, BCom (USyd)Jimmy joined Platinum in 2017 as an investment analyst in the consumer team. In April 2021, Jimmy moved to the technology and communications team and became a co-portfolio manager of the Platinum International Technology Fund in October 2022. He was previously an equity analyst at BT Investment Solutions and had also worked as a senior analyst in the Markets and Research team there. Prior to joining BT, Jimmy was an associate analyst and later a credit strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. -
Jodie Bannan
Portfolio ManagerJodie Bannan, CA, BCom (USyd)Jodie joined Platinum in 2017 as an investment analyst in the industrial and resources sector team. Previously, Jodie worked at Macquarie Securities as a small caps analyst as well as in the chemicals, paper/packaging team. Prior to this, Jodie worked at Ernst & Young in the Audit division.
Jodie is the co-portfolio manager of the Platinum Global Transition Fund (Quoted Managed Hedge Fund) launched in 2023. -
Liam Farlow
Portfolio ManagerLiam Farlow, BEng Hons, BCom (UoW), MBA (AGSM)Liam joined Platinum in 2014 as an investment analyst covering energy and industrial companies. Previously, Liam worked at Macquarie Group as an equity analyst specialising in materials, as well as in equity derivatives at Westpac. Prior to this, he had held a variety of engineering and commercial roles at BlueScope Steel and BHP Billiton.
Liam leads the industrials and resources sector team, and is the co-portfolio manager of the Platinum Global Transition Fund (Quoted Managed Hedge Fund) launched in 2023.
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Leon Rapp
Portfolio ManagerLeon Rapp, BA (Asian Studies) (UNSW)Leon originally joined Platinum in the Japan team in 2011. Prior to Platinum, he worked in Tokyo and New York for over 18 years at PBG Japan Research, UBS Securities, Nikko Citigroup, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and ING Baring Securities in research and sales roles. He left Platinum in 2015 and returned to work in Japan at Rogers Investment Advisors and most recently at Macquarie Group where he was senior research analyst, covering the Japan consumer sector. He re-joined Platinum in January 2022, as an investment analyst in the Japan team and became co-portfolio manager of the Platinum Japan Fund in October 2023. Leon is a fluent Japanese speaker.
Analysts
Industrials and Resources
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Ben Robinson
Investment AnalystBen Robinson, BCom Hons (UWA)Ben joined Platinum in 2022 as an investment analyst in the industrial and resources sector team. Previously, Ben worked as a senior project analyst in business development Wesfarmers Chemicals Energy & Fertilisers and started as an analyst at Wesfarmers in the business development team. -
Julian McCormack
Investment Specialist (Retail)Julian McCormack, BEco Hons1 (USyd), MAppFin (Macquarie)Julian joined Platinum in 2001 as an investment analyst, but then left in 2002 to travel the world.
Upon returning he spent eight years working in metals and mining equity research and investment banking at Credit Suisse before founding a company in minerals exploration.
Julian re-joined Platinum in 2014 and worked as an investment specialist helping clients stay informed. In 2022, Julian joined the industrial and resources team as an analyst.
Technology and Communications
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Kevin Chan
Senior Investment AnalystKevin Chan, CFA, BEng Hons1, BSc (USyd)Kevin joined Platinum in 2011 as an investment analyst on the technology and communications sectors. His technical expertise and first-hand industry experience give him a firm grasp over the workings of technologies and technology companies, be they in the space of enterprise software, cloud computing or semiconductors.
Kevin previously worked as a software engineer and business analyst in the biomedical, telecommunications and financial services industries. -
Tom Tao
Investment AnalystTom Tao, BCom (Curtin), MFA (La Trobe)Tom joined Platinum in 2021 as an investment analyst in the consumer team. In April 2023, he transitioned to the technology and communications team. Prior to this he was an investment analyst at Yarra Capital and Eight Investment Partners. Also, he was an analyst at Redwood North, Venture Insights and Teaminvest Private.
Financials and Services
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Jim Fawcett
Senior Investment AnalystJim Fawcett, CFA, BCom (McMaster), MBA (McGill)Jim joined Platinum in 2016 as an investment analyst in the financial and services team. Prior to this, Jim held a variety of roles in industry at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Capgemini Consulting, Caltex and the Commonwealth Bank. Raised in Canada, Jim gained international experience by living in Ireland and the Netherlands prior to relocating to Australia. -
Manroop Singh
Investment AnalystManroop Singh, BAcc (UTS Sydney), CFAManroop joined Platinum in 2021 as an Investment Analyst in the financial and services team. Prior to this, he worked at Jarden as an equity research analyst, Macquarie Group as an associate portfolio manager within the global fixed income team and AMP Capital as a portfolio analyst in global fixed income. Manroop started his career as an auditor within the Financial Services team at KPMG.
Consumer
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James Foreman
Senior Investment AnalystJames Foreman, BCom/BA (University of Auckland)James joined Platinum as an investment analyst in the consumer team in 2019. Prior to this, James was at Columbia Threadneedle Investments in London from 2012 where he started as a client portfolio analyst before moving to an equity analyst role in 2015. James has also held roles at Ironbridge Capital as portfolio analyst, Dixon Advisory Limited as an investment analyst and Ernst & Young Limited in Auckland as a consultant in their Advisory Services team. -
Zoe Middleton
Senior Investment AnalystZoe Middleton, BCom (USyd)Zoe joined Platinum in 2018 as an investment analyst in the health care sector team, after having spent some time at Hunter Hall as an equity analyst. Prior to joining the investment management industry, Zoe worked at several global fashion houses, including Chanel in London, Boutique 1 in Dubai as well as Sass & Bide and David Jones in Sydney, gaining extensive experience in merchandising -
Andrew Baud
Senior Investment AnalystAndrew Baud, BBus (RMIT)Andrew joined Platinum as an analyst from in April 2005 having previously worked as an equities analyst for The Intelligent Investor publication. At Platinum he researched the resources and industrial sector, then moved to the consumer and healthcare sector. Andrew joined Antipodes in mid-2015 as deputy portfolio manager of the global funds and later became co-portfolio manager. For sector coverage, he was initially sector head for global consumer and healthcare, and later became co-sector head for Europe/North America Consumer, Domestic Services & Software, Internet, Media. Andrew re-joined Platinum in May 2023 as the consumer sector team leader.
Health Care
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Dr Lisa Worley
Investment AnalystDr Lisa Worley, PhD (UNSW), B App Sc (Hons) B Forensic Science (Canberra)Lisa joined Platinum in 2021 as an investment analyst in the health care sector team, having previously worked as an intern at Platinum. Whilst completing her study, Lisa worked as a research assistant, pathology assistant and private tutor. Lisa holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of New South Wales, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, investigating the molecular and cellular requirements of T helper cell differentiation.
Asia - Regional Specialists
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Michael Wang
Investment AnalystMichael Wang, BCom (Melbourne)Michael first joined Platinum as an investment analyst covering technology stocks in 2018, after working as an energy analyst and spot trader at Snowy Hydro Ltd for a year. Prior to that, Michael served at the University of Melbourne as a Derivative Securities & Microeconomics tutor. Michael left Platinum after two years to try his hand in a start-up, focussed on trucking IT solutions. On rejoining the firm in 2023, Michael’s research focus is on Asia.
Japan - Regional Specialists
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Joshua Pettman
Investment AnalystJoshua Pettman, BCom/BEcon (University of Queensland)Joshua joined Platinum in 2022 as an investment analyst in the consumer team. He previously worked as a corporate advisory intern at Oxley Capital Partners and as a portfolio analyst and paraplanner at Boston Private Wealth.
Generalist
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Alessandro Barbi
GeneralistAlessandro Barbi, BBus Adm Hons (Bocconi University, Milan), GradDip AppFinInv (FINSIA)Alex is an industry veteran and a long-time member of the Platinum team. After spending five years honing his skills as an investment analyst with a focus on the telecommunications and IT sectors, Alex was appointed the portfolio manager of the Platinum International Technology Fund in 2003.
Alex began his professional career as an investment analyst at Istituto Mobiliare Italiano, where he progressed through various corporate finance and funds management roles. After coming to Australia, Alex worked as a manager in the corporate finance department at Coopers & Lybrand before joining Platinum in 1998.
Quant
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Sava Mihic
Head of QuantSava Mihic, CFA, BCom Hons (Auckland)Sava joined Platinum in 2015 as a quantitative analyst, having previously worked as an analyst in the Equities and Alternative Assets division of Challenger Limited. At Platinum, Sava leads the team of quant analysts. His role is focused on providing quant and macro support to the investment team, which includes regularly contributing investment ideas by highlighting the interesting companies or sectors identified through quant tools. -
Darren Lee
Quant AnalystDarren Lee, CFA, BEng Hons (UNSW), GradDip AppFin (FINSIA)Darren joined Platinum in 2009 as a quantitative analyst, having previously worked as a risk manager at global equity fund manager, Ellerston Capital. His experience also includes working as a trading system developer at Macquarie Bank ISD. At Platinum, Darren’s role is to provide quant and macro support to the investment team, including monitoring global, regional and industry trends and contributing macroeconomic analysis. -
James Bullock
Quant AnalystJames Bullock, BCom Hons (Auckland)James joined Platinum in 2018 as a quantitative analyst after completing his Masters of Commerce in Finance. Previously, James worked with Miracle Computers where he not only worked on the setting up and maintenance of private and corporate computer networks, but also managed sales, client servicing and other operational responsibilities.
Traders
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Ricardo Nemirovsky
Head of TradingRicardo Nemirovsky, MEng (UBE), MBA (NYU)Ricky joined Platinum’s investment team in 2004, having previously worked as an emerging markets trader at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank in New York. At Platinum, Ricky oversees the team of traders and analysts. His role includes executing market orders, monitoring market movements and sentiments, as well as working with the investment team on investment strategy and execution.
The dealer team plays an important role in helping the portfolio managers and analysts to better pinpoint opportunities in the market at any given time and highlighting the herding nature in stock markets.
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Troy Augustus
Trader & AnalystTroy Augustus, BMath Finance (UoW)Troy has been a trader and analyst in Platinum’s investment team since 2010. Before moving into the trader role, Troy had worked at Platinum for five years in both administrative and senior portfolio accounting roles, which equipped him with an understanding of the back-office functions and the importance of seamless interfacing between them and the front-office dealers and portfolio managers. Troy’s current role includes executing market orders, monitoring market movements and sentiments, as well as working with the investment team on investment strategy and execution. -
Scott Edwards
Trader & AnalystScott Edwards, CFA, BCom (Notre Dame College, USA)Scott was appointed as a trader and analyst in Platinum’s investment team in April 2021. Before moving into this role, Scott had worked at Platinum for four years in both unit registry and portfolio accounting roles, which equipped him with an understanding of the back-office functions. Scott’s current role at Platinum includes executing market orders, monitor market movements and sentiments, as well as working with the investment team on investment strategy and execution.