Mason Stevens welcomes chief strategy officer

Morgan Stanley's former family office head is now leading strategy for Mason Stevens, as it looks to push into the ultra-high-net-worth space.

Peter Mermelas has been appointed chief strategy officer at Mason Stevens.

He's tasked with identifying and pursuing growth opportunities to expand into new market segments, namely Australia's UHNW cohort, developing relationships with family offices and their advisers.

Mermelas was previously head of family office at Morgan Stanley for more than six years.

Over the last 25 years, he's also held roles with Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Merrill Lynch, AXA, and UBS.

Mermelas said he is thrilled to be joining Mason Stevens at this time; Adamantem Capital recently completed the acquisition of Mason Stevens.

"I have been impressed by their journey so far and believe there are plenty of opportunities to expand into new segments. I firmly believe they have the right combination of sophisticated investment offerings and knowledge to provide UHNW clients and their advisers with expert solutions," he said.

"I look forward to supporting the business on its growth trajectory."

The platform provider currently has about $8 billion in funds under administration.

"Peter's appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to hiring exceptional talent to drive the business forward," Mason Stevens chief executive Tim Yule said.

"Peter brings extensive experience in the financial services sector and a strong dedication to ensuring clients access the right investment solutions to reach their objectives."