About us

IUnited's Investment Team is dedicated to researching, selecting, monitoring and blending from the most highly regarded fund managers available. Our extensive selection process takes into account an investment manager's:

• investment style and process
• consistency in applying the stated investment style and process
• proficiency and experience of the investment team
• past performance
• potential to add value over the longer term
• strong risk/management controls.

As the head of Australian Wealth Management Limited (AWM), Chris is responsible for the management of the total business. However Chris's background is in funds management and therefore Chris takes a keen interest in United Funds Management Ltd through chairing the Investment Policy Committee.

Since his appointment to SMF as Managing Director in 1997, assets under management have grown from under $400 million to $2 billion (excluding funds under advice and administration which are a further $700 million).

Before joining SMF, Chris spent 12 years with Citigroup's Global Asset Management Business and concluded the time at Citigroup as Managing Director of the division. During his 12 years with Citibank, Chris was responsible for business management, strategic marketing and sales growth in Australia, and was the architect behind Citicorp Investment Management/Global Asset Management in Australia, establishing its New Zealand business. Assets under management comprising business in both New Zealand and Australia totalled $2 billion.

Before joining Citicorp, Chris was a director of Quest Investment Limited, a listed venture capital company, and is a solicitor by profession.

Chris is responsible for business management and strategic marketing and sales in Australia and New Zealand.

Jake has been directly involved with the investment management industry for over 12 years both in the UK and Australia and has been with SMF and United for 11 years.

Jake started his career with a major firm of chartered accountants in London, moving from audit to specialising in taxation and then onto managing investment trust funds and private client portfolios. Jake joined SMF Funds Management Ltd as investment manager and was promoted to the position of Associate Director on the acquisition of United Funds Management Ltd and the successful transfer of the funds management operation from SMF to United.

He holds a Bachelor of Business degree, is a qualified accountant (ACCA), has a Diploma in Financial Markets, a Graduate Diploma and Masters in Applied Finance and Investments and is an Associate of the Securities Institute of Australia (ASIA).

Jake brings to the team a wealth of experience in efficiently managing investment funds from all aspects including research, portfolio construction and investment management, administration/accounting and taxation.

Les Coleman is a financial strategist and former Treasurer of ExxonMobil Australia.

Les graduated from Melbourne University with an Engineering degree. After a two year period as a Mining Engineer in Zambia, he joined ExxonMobil (formerly Mobil Oil) in Melbourne, and went on to complete a research Master of Economics. Currently Les is completing his PhD in risk management.

During his 26 year career with ExxonMobil, Les was a director of ten companies and a trustee of two superannuation funds (which had up to $600 million in assets under management). He also worked in the United States and Fiji.

Les has also written numerous articles for a variety of magazines and newspapers on topics related to finance strategy, risk management, economics and science and has been researching quantitative techniques used to increase investor returns.

Alex has over 11 years' finance industry experience with a broad exposure to a variety of different sectors including stockbroking, mortgage lending, retail funds management, platform administration and over seven years' experience within manager research/multi-management investment management.

Alex joined United in 2002 after previously being employed as the Senior Quantitative Analyst and Investment Committee Member for Partnership Planning's (an ING Group company) multi-manager funds.

Alex has completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investments with the Securities Institute of Australia.

Alex's role is predominately focused on manager research, investment strategy and portfolio construction.

William joined United in February 2007. Before this, William spent over five years employed as Senior Investment Analyst with Mercer Investment Consulting in Auckland, New Zealand. While employed with Mercer, William provided investment advice to a range of institutional clients including superannuation schemes. William was also directly involved with Mercer's master trust operations. He has an MBA from Melbourne University and is a CFA Charterholder.

William's role is focused on manager research and portfolio construction.

Robert has over five years' industry experience and joined United in 2006. Before joining United Robert was employed at IBIS World where he worked as a Company Analyst.

Robert has completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment with the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Robert's role is to assist with manager research and monitoring, quantitative analysis and investment reporting to the Investment Policy Committee, internal Client Service staff and Sales Consultants and to external Research Houses and Asset Consultants.

Angelo has been employed by AWM for 16 years and in that time has held positions in a variety of areas including investment accounting, technical and fund manager research and funds management.

Angelo's role is to manage the day-to-day investment administration of AWM's Questor Funds, investment reporting and ad-hoc research assignments for United and to assist Peter Hilton (Portfolio Manager) in the portfolio management of the United High Yield Fund.

Maria joined United in 2002 after previously being employed for 15 years with HSBC Bank Australia Ltd. During her term at HSBC, Maria held several senior posts in money-markets, treasury operations and investment administration positions.

Her extensive experience lies predominantly in settlements, back office administration and retail and wholesale unit registry.

Maria's role is to manage the day to day administrative operation of United Funds Management Ltd which includes the efficient management of cash and supervising and monitoring external service providers such as the custodian to the United investment funds.

Charles Kneale is based in Melbourne and has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Charles has been with Australian Wealth Management for 6 years. Before joining Australian Wealth Management, Charles worked as a senior financial planner.

Charles' experience includes business development roles with renowed companies such as Citibank Ltd and Dow Jones.

Charles has both investment and superannuation industry experience, working with large stand-alone corporate superannuation funds, assisting with investment strategy and investment selection.

Charles' present role involves working alongside financial advisers to show them how United's fund best fit within a typical client's portfolio to help them grow their book of business.