Making the investment decisions
Simon O'Grady
As the Chief Investment Officer, Simon has overall responsibility for the Investment Strategy Team. Simon has a solid track record in wealth management, with over 12 years working for Suncorp in Australia, most recently heading Global Premia Investments. He has extensive experience at a senior level across all asset classes, both locally and globally. This includes consulting and product development, with a broad range of institutional clients and wide experience in working with boards, investment committees and trustees.
Simon has a Dip. Bank Finance from Massey University, and is a CFA charter holder, FINSIA fellow and member of the Institute of Directors.
Susan - Swimming against the tide
Whether she’s crossing the Cook Strait or swimming through a deluge of company research, Susan needs to keep an eye out for the sharks. But with her investment analyst experience, she can spot a freestyler a mile away.
Susan Easton takes overall responsibility for the functioning of IST with a particular focus on the equities and fixed interest portfolios. Susan has two decades of experience in asset markets and has a BA and Post Graduate Diploma in accounting from Victoria University Wellington. Susan’s initial work in financial services began as a sell-side analyst covering NZ equities for an Australasian broker. She later joined ANZ Asset Management where she had a number of roles including responsibility for managing the NZ equity and property portfolios. Susan joined GMI in 2006.
John - Investment Cyclist
John made the move to the GMI Investment Strategy Team from Infometrics where he delivered a full range of economic forecasting, policy and consulting services for clients. Prior to joining Infometrics John spent 12 years working at Treasury managing economic policy and tax forecasting teams.
John graduated from Victoria University in 1988 with a BCA (Hons) in economics.
Greg - Keeping his powder dry
Greg’s arrival at GMI coincided with markets experiencing plenty of white water and Category 5 rapids. Greg’s advice is to hang on tight – there will be calmer waters ahead!
A Wellington native, Greg has had 10 years in the financial markets. This was mostly garnered in an Operations function in the United States where he picked up plenty of experience (as well as a true-blue Yankee accent!) Greg did some time on the Operations team, and he's now bringing his fixed interest experience to the Strategy team.
Greg manages the fixed interest portfolio at GMI, and is responsible for researching short-term securities, term deposits and government and corporate bonds, and the day to day running of the bond portfolio. Greg has a double major in Business Administration and Finance from Sacred Heart University, Connecticut, 2003.
Diana - Worth her malt
Born and bred in Scotland, Diana bagged the dream job of many a true Scot with her first job - testing whiskies. Following an eight-year stint studying and working in England, Diana went Stateside, spending the last 14 years in Manhattan and just outside of New York. But with a cinematographer husband who takes pictures of erupting volcanoes for a living, and a sister living on the rugged Wellington coast, a move to New Zealand with the three kids was always on the cards.
Diana is a global credit expert with extensive experience in managing fixed interest funds. After completing a PhD in chemistry at Cambridge University, Diana embarked on a 20 year investment career, managing global portfolios for investment managers including Saudi International and Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London and New York. Diana manages GMI’s fixed interest investments while also contributing to wider investment strategy.
Nathan - ahead of the eight ball
As a senior analyst with GMI, Nathan has a keen eye for hotshot companies to pocket in the portfolio. It is a difficult job when so many companies are pool sharks using trick shots to lure investors in. Nathan is never behind the eight ball though, and has not suffered a downtrou from any of his investment ideas. Nathan also enjoys travel, music, playing the guitar, horse racing and playing pool.
Nathan is responsible for identifying, analysing and monitoring suitable investments in global equity markets. Nathan has twelve years experience in the investment industry, including positions as a senior analyst at ABN Amro in Sydney and as an Asian markets adviser for Macquarie Securities in London. After taking time off to travel and complete a post-graduate certificate in Development Studies, Nathan joined Gareth Morgan Investments in 2010.
Nathan has a BA (Honours) degree in Economics from Massey University.
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