Aequitas hires from Vanguard again

Aequitas Investment Partners has named a head of asset consulting, joining from Vanguard Australia.

Libby Newman has joined the boutique investment manager after spending close to six years at Vanguard as senior investment specialist of strategy and research, a role that was created to connect advisers with Vanguard's resources.

In her new role, Newman will lead Aequitas' asset consulting capability, connect investment research with practical adviser support, and work with advisers to develop portfolio solutions tailored to their clients' investment needs.

Newman brings over 25 years' experience to the role, combining research leadership, portfolio consulting and practical adviser support with a particular focus on fixed income, multi-asset and super funds, Aequitas said.

Prior to joining Vanguard, she spent over 13 years at Lonsec in leadership roles, including executive director of research, general manager of income and multi-asset, and most recently, head of active manager research and sector manager where she led managed funds research functions and participated in Lonsec asset allocation and manager selection investment committees.

Earlier in her career, she also worked at Suncorp's fund management business and Artesian Capital Management overseeing its accounting and risk for boutique credit arbitrage hedge fund.

"[Newman's] appointment strengthens our leadership team and gives our client access to deeper investment expertise to support their portfolio decisions and client conversations," Aequitas said.

The business also welcomed a former Vanguard senior consultant to the role of principal asset consultant in May, shortly after the appointment of a former financial adviser to the role of head of investment delivery.

Aequitas was founded by a team of former Commonwealth Private executives in 2020 to assist advisers and dealer groups looking to scale their businesses through tailored investment solutions.