UniSuper beefs up internal equities team

UniSuper has added to its internal investment management team with the appointment of Mark Himpoo to the role of senior manager, equities.

Himpoo spent the past 17 years at BlackRock, where he held the position head of fundamental equities. Before that he worked for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, Potter Warburg Asset Management/Mercury Asset Management and Citibank Australia.

He will have the responsibility of further developing the in-house investment capabilities of UniSuper, working with head of equities Simon Hudson.

Of UniSuper's current $29.8 billion in funds under management, almost one-third is managed internally - $6.1 billion in listed securities, and $2.9 billion in unlisted assets.

UniSuper chief investment officer John Pearce said he was delighted to have someone of Himpoo's "calibre and experience" on the team.

He added that by developing the in-house investment team, UniSuper would have tighter control over its investments - allowing it to better focus on its members' interests.

"With Simon and Mark, we now have two of the most experienced and talented professionals in the market," Pearce said.