Loftus Peak seeks to harvest return from global sharemarkets by focusing on understanding the change the world will go through in the next two to five years and beyond, attributing value to that change, and then discounting it back to derive a valuation in today’s terms.
We seek out companies that are driving, or will be the beneficiaries of, the accelerating pace of change across all industries globally. We construct a portfolio from these companies on the basis of strict criteria at carefully determined valuations, in a process that openly acknowledges and accounts for risk.
Alex Pollak |
CIO and FounderWith 25 years experience in disruptive business models gained during a career with Macquarie Bank, Alex is a Director of Loftus Peak and heads one of the best-performing teams in disruptive investment in Australia.
He was instrumental in bringing both Seek and Carsales.com.au to the Australian stock market. His deep knowledge of investment and global change companies means Loftus Peak clients are ideally placed to benefit financially from the movements in technology which are daily changing the face of markets.
Anshu Sharma |
Portfolio Manager and Founder
Anshu began his career more than 15 years ago as a global investment analyst, covering companies that have now been at the forefront of disruption for over a decade. He then took on a similar role with a focus on the Asian market, gaining a unique perspective on the global scale and impact of disruptive businesses. In 2014, Anshu became one of the founding members of Loftus Peak and quickly progressed to portfolio management, assuming the role of Portfolio Manager.
At Loftus Peak, his focus has been on developing a standardised repeatable process to unearth, value, and risk-adjust portfolio positions to stay ahead of the market.
Anshu holds an M.Com from the University of New South Wales, a B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University and he holds a CIPM® certificate and a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Harry Morrow |
Senior Investment AnalystHarry joined Loftus Peak as an analyst in 2018. He is a member of the investment team, with a focus on streaming, digital advertising and health sciences. He supports the Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer through thematic, industry and company analysis as well as modelling for potential and current portfolio holdings.
He has graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and Commercial Law. Harry is a CFA Charterholder.
Tom Gilbertson |
Investment Analyst
Tom is an investment analyst with responsibilities for company analysis across the universe of investable companies with a particular focus on software and cyber security. Tom is also responsible for dealing across the funds and portfolios managed by Loftus Peak.
He has completed a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Economics majoring in Finance at the University of NSW.
Stuart Kennedy |
Investment Analyst
Stuart Kennedy has over 30-years’ experience as a highly regarded journalist with a focus on finance and technology. From 2003 until 2015 Stuart was the editor of The Australian’s technology section. Stuart has observed and reported on major technology-based disruption waves since 1985, starting with the business PC revolution, office networking, the rise of client / server, the onset of the mass internet, the commoditisation of server hardware, the arrival of smart devices, hardware virtualisation, social media and the onset of cloud computing.
Tom Keir |
Investment Analyst
Tom is an investment analyst with responsibilities for company analysis across the universe of investable companies with a particular focus on life sciences. Tom also has additional responsibilities in ensuring the integration of ESG in the investment process and supporting the firm's position as a responsible investor.
He has completed a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University
Raymond Tong |
Head of Research
Raymond joined Loftus Peak in March 2024 as Head of Research. Raymond has a strong background in the disruption thematic having developed and managed global disruption portfolios for Orca Funds Management and Evans and Partners Financial Group since 2017. Prior to this, Raymond was a well regarded research analyst at Goldman Sachs, covering the telecom, internet and media sectors.
Raymond has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and Commerce (Finance) from the University of Melbourne and has a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Rob Forage |
Life Sciences Expert
Rob’s career spans biotechnology, commercialisation and education. Trained as a biochemist at Oxford and Harvard, he led a group producing mammalian growth and reproductive hormones aswell as biopesticides with the Hoechst-CRA joint venture, Biotech Australia.
Rob then worked with CSIRO’s commercialisation arm, Sirotech, before establishing a private consultancy focused on technology commercialisation, working with clients such as CSIRO, RNSH and the Rural Research and Development Corporations. As Director of the MLA-AWI joint venture, SheepGenomics, Rob headed an international team to sequence the entire sheep genome and identify DNA diagnostic markers for traits of commercial interest.
After leading UNSW Global, an international education and assessment company, Rob now serves as Chair of Abbey College, a private vocational education provider.
Els Termaat |
ESG Expert
Els supports Loftus Peak’s ability to integrate environmental, social and governance criteria into Loftus Peak’s investment processes. Els is an investment industry specialist with over 30 years’ experience and has strong skills across financial asset classes and responsible investment. Els’ career commenced at the Australian Treasury and has taken her from Head of Debt Markets at Macquarie Bank, to management of portfolios of ethical/ impact investments and consulting to large super funds on asset allocation and responsible investment.
Els graduated with Economics Honours from the University of Queensland and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Director’s Course and Kaplan Professional’s Diploma of Financial Management.
Pierre Kraft |
General Manager - Sales and Distribution
Pierre has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, having held a range of senior roles in financial advice, accounting and superannuation at organisations, including Aon, NAB/MLC and CountPlus.
As an authorised representative of Loftus Peak, Pierre’s main focus is taking the firm's capability to market and ensuring that advisors and their clients are able to invest with Loftus Peak across multiple platforms.
Pierre has a Masters in Business (advanced) from Adelaide University, is a Fellow of CPA Australia, is a Certified Financial Planner and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Pierre also holds a Bachelor of Business, Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking) and a Diploma in Financial Planning, from Financial Planning Association.
Larry Achike |
Head of Distribution
Larry is responsible for the distribution of Loftus Peak’s newly introduced active ETF and helping to develop the firm’s sales and marketing strategy for intermediary and retail clients.
With over 20 years’ experience in sales and marketing across several industries, Larry has a strong background in business development. In his previous role, he was responsible for servicing wealth managers within stockbroking firms and financial advisory groups across Australia, including most recently, responsibility for a range of disruption funds.
As a two-time Olympian and former Captain of the Great Britain Athletics team, Larry has successfully transitioned his passion, drive and goal focussed attitude to carve an equally successful career as a sales leader. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Kingston University (UK) and is RG146 compliant.
Charles Badger |
Head of Sales and Key Accounts
Charles has an extensive background in the financial services industry, specialising in both platform and investment fund distribution, working closely with Australian Financial Service Licence holders and adviser groups. He has experience in both retail and institutional roles.
Charles has held senior positions with AMP, Westpac subsidiaries Securitor and Asgard, ING, Rothschild, BT and in the wealth and licensee divisions of IOOF / ANZ.
He holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance) from Monash University, Associate Diploma of Business (PIR) from the University of SA, Certificate IV Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking) and has commenced an MBA at Charles Sturt University.
Cara Christie |
Media Design
Cara's responsibilities at Loftus Peak are focused on assisting with the firm's branding and communication strategy through design and marketing input, including publications, presentations and website design, as well as webinar and other media production.
Cara is currently studying for a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree at the University of Sydney.
Rick Steele |
CEO
Drawing on more than 30 years in funds management and government Rick is the CEO of Loftus Peak.
After a successful career in the Australian Treasury, Rick held senior positions at Prudential Assurance, Morgan Grenfell Australia, BT Funds Management, TechInvest and Eight Investment Partners.
Rick is also chairman of CitizenBlue, an impact enterprise operating a container recycling service for its environmental members.
Rick has a MEc from the Australian National University, is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and has completed the AICD Company Director's Course.
Gary Cullen |
COO
Gary Cullen has extensive operational experience in the funds management industry in Australia and overseas. In addition to his role as Chief Operations Officer, Gary is Chair of the Investment Risk Committee and responsible for maintaining existing and implementing new operational capabilities and driving improvements in operational processes.
Gary has also served with INVESCO Asset Management, the Irish Stock Exchange, JP Morgan, AMP Capital Investors and Eight Investment Partners.
Gary has a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick and Financial Services Diploma from University College Dublin. He has successfully completed level 1 of the CFA examination.
Emily Hempel |
Senior Operations Analyst
At Loftus Peak, Emily's main focus is on the operations of the firm, including accounts payable and receivable, IT platforms, insurance, audit and supervision of external service providers. Emily is also responsible for managing the firm's data assets.
Emily is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Advanced Computing at the University of Sydney.
Andre Morony |
Advisory Board Member
Andre Morony, B.Ec.(Hons), M.Ec was the Chief Investment Officer at ARIA, (formerly known as the Commonwealth and Public Sector Superannuation Schemes). He was previously employed as Chief Investment Officer at BT Funds Management (BT).
Mr. Morony held a long and distinguished career in the finance sector. Starting at the Commonwealth Treasury, he represented Australia at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development before joining BT. He served as the Chairman at Australian Ethical Investment Ltd., from February 23, 2011 to February 04, 2013 and served as its Director since June 2008 until November 20, 2013. He is currently an Investment Committee member of the ANU Student Investment Fund.
He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Flinders University and a Master of Economics from Australian National University.
Stephen Menzies |
Advisory Board Member
Stephen Menzies was a partner of Ashurst Australia from 2006 to 2018 and Gilbert+Tobin from 2001 to 2006. Mr. Menzies held a long and distinguished career in law, with particular renown in funds management and finance. He served as a Director of Platinum Asset Management Ltd from 2014 to 2023 and as a Director of a number of ASX listed companies in the financial sector.
He is currently the Chair of Silicon Quantum Computing Pty Ltd and served for 10 years on the Advisory Committee member of the ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communications Technology, where he was Chair from 2014-2018. He acted as National Coordinator for Enforcement at ASIC from 1990 to 1992 and Commercial Counsel to CSIRO from 2003 to 2004.
He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Law from University of Sydney and a Master of Law from University of London (LSE).