Mark Lazberger - Chief Executive Officer

Mark is the CEO of Colonial First State Global Asset Management. The business has responsibility for more than AUD151 billion in funds and assets under management across equities, fixed interest, cash, private equity, infrastructure, fund of hedge funds and property. Mark oversees the performance and strategic direction of all funds managed by the business.

Mark joined Colonial First State Global Asset Management in September 2008. Prior to this, he was President, International and Executive Vice President, of State Street Global Advisors (SSgA).

Previously, Mark was Head of International Businesses, President and CEO of State Street, Japan, and a Principal and Regional Managing Director of SSgA's businesses in Japan and Australia. He joined SSgA in early 1993 after spending two years with State Street Corporation's treasury area.

Neil Cochrane - Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Business Development

As Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Business Development, Neil leads our global sales force with a primary focus on institutional business development. 

Neil also has overall responsibility for our marketing and communications functions around the world and chairs the Property Investment Review Committee and the Infrastructure Investment Review Committee.

Prior to joining Colonial First State Global Asset Management in October 2006, Neil was CEO of the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST), one of Australia’s largest funds, with over 1.6 million members and more than AUD11 billion in funds under management.

David Dixon - Chief Investment Officer

David is the Chief Investment Officer for our business. In this role, David is responsible for managing the investment management teams who oversee more than AUD88 billion in funds under management. The investment management team comprises approximately 100 staff located in Australia, Europe, Asia and the US. David joined the business in May 2003.

David brings more than 20 years' experience in the investment management industry to his role as CIO. Prior to this, David was CIO of IAG Asset Management where he had overall responsibility for approximately AUD10 billion of assets under management and was a member of IAG's Asset Liability Committee.

Joe Fernandes – Head of Global Investment Solutions

Joe is Head of Global Investment Solutions Group, with overall responsibility for the strategic assessment and development of investment capability and product globally, and packaging of alpha solutions. Global Investment Solutions Group incorporates Product Development, Alpha Strategies and Portfolio Management teams located in Sydney and London.

Joe has held a number of roles within the Colonial First State group, including Chief Operating Officer, Investment Director, Hedge Funds, and Head of Multi-manager and Quant, with responsibility for multiple investment teams and in excess of AUD16 billion in traditional and non-traditional assets under management. He was also formerly responsible for Colonial First State's AUD10 billion Index Funds business.

Paul Gately - Chief Operating Officer

Paul is the Chief Operating Officer for Colonial First State Global Asset Management. Paul’s key responsibilities include: the oversight for Risk and Compliance, Information Technology, Operations, Performance Measurement and Business Planning processes.

Paul joined the business in 2005 after consulting to the Commonwealth Bank on a range of strategic projects for a 12-month period. Paul was previously a Senior Managing Director at AIG Global Investment Group.

Geordie Manolas – Head of Strategy and Development

Geordie was previously a member of the investment banking group at Goldman Sachs & Co., where he worked within the financial institutions group.

Charlie Metcalfe - Chief Executive Officer First State Investments (FSI) International

Charlie Metcalfe joined First State Investments in November 2006 as Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for the UK business, Europe and North America. Charlie sits on the board of First State Investment Management (UK) Limited. Previously Charlie was Deputy CEO of Hermes Investment Management and CEO of Hermes Assured Ltd. He chaired the Hermes Business Development Group responsible for new product development.

Prior to Hermes, Charlie ran mPower, a private equity funded e-commerce investment business. Between 1998 and 2001 he was an executive Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management focused on business development and client service. Charlie was also Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Capital Management from 1994 to 1998 having started his career at JP Morgan in 1985.

James O’Leary – Head of Property and Alternative Investments

Prior to this, James was a director with Gresham Partners, working on a variety of mergers and acquisitions and advisory transactions.

Mark Steinberg – Chief Financial Officer

Mark was previously with Macquarie where he was a Director in the Macquarie Capital Funds business, with his principal role being Chief Financial Officer of Macquarie Capital Alliance Group, an ASX listed private equity style investment fund.