Jim Christensen

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James (Jim) Christensen
Jim Christensen speaking at an investment conference in 2012
Born
Childers, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
EducationUniversity of Queensland
OccupationInvestor

James (Jim) Christensen is an Australian investor who is known for his tenure at some of the country's most prominent funds management firms. He has notably served as the Chief Investment Officer of Australia's largest corporate superannuation fund, Telstra Super and later the countries' largest state fund Queensland Investment Corporation before announcing his retirement in September 2021.[1] In February of 2022, it was announced that Jim had taken a step out of retirement and would be appointed as Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee for Brisbane-based funds management firm Alvia Asset Partners.[2]

Career[edit]

Jim began his career working in Queensland Treasury before moving on to the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). He spent over 10 years at the QIC managing some of the $54 billion the organisation was then responsible for.[3] At this company, Jim was given the position of managing director of the Active Management Division, as well as chairing the alpha investment committee.[4] Ultimately, this meant Jim was responsible for determining and implementing investment strategies across all portfolios.

Jim was appointed to the role of Chief Investment Officer at Telstra Super in 2009 on 16 December, succeeding Steve Merlicek.[5] He managed over $15 billion for the company.[6] The company is the largest corporate pension fund in Australia, with over 100,000 members.[7]

On 24 November 2015 Jim officially resigned from Telstra Super to return QIC, initially as managing director for Global Multi Asset and eventually State Chief Investment Officer.[8][9][10] Jim was responsible for asset allocation and active management at the $74.6 Billion fund.[11] QIC was, as of Jim's appointment, the second-largest investment fund in the country. In taking the position, Jim succeeded the departing CIO Adriaan Ryder, who left after 7 years with the company.[12]

On 1 September 2021, QIC released a statement to announce Jim's retirement along with the appointment of Alison hill as the new state CIO.[13] The fund had grown by approximately $20 billion over the 5 years since his appointment in 2015. Just 9 months after departing the $100B CIO position, Jim commenced stepped out of retirement as Investment Advisory Committee Chair of Alvia Asset Partners. This high performance Brisbane-based funds management firm focuses primarily on family offices with over $500mil (AUD) under management.[14]

In the media[edit]

Over his career Jim has been featured in a number of live, televised and written pieces of media. His economic opinions have been recorded in leading magazines, journals and newspapers. These articles most commonly depict investment strategies with a particular focus on corporate asset management.[15] As a speaker, Jim has presented at public functions around the world, including conferences with the Centre for Investor Education (CIE) and the Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL).[16][17][18] In addition to this, he is often shown in online investor education videos.

The returns of his funds investments are also heavily highlighted and scrutinised across Australian media. For the most part, funds under his control are usually industry leaders.[19] In 2015 Jim was listed as a nominee for the prestigious Conexus Financial Superannuation CIO of the Year award.[20] He proceeded to win the Award, edging out his competitors at the gala event.[21][22] In addition to this award, he went on to win CIO of the year at the Rainmaker awards in the same year.

It was reported that James was the fifth highest paid Investment Officer in the Super Industry for 2015; the highest of any corporate fund.[23] That same year it was also shown, to some controversy, that Jim earns over $500, 000 more than the CEO of Telstra Super.[24]

Education[edit]

James grew up in Childers, Queensland in Australia. After completing high school in Gin Gin, Queensland he went on to study at the prestigious University of Queensland. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Economics (BEc) and Master of Economics (MEc).

References[edit]

  1. ^ McElhaney, Alicia (1 September 2021). "QIC Names New CIO for State Investments Team". Institutional Investor. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. ^ Norris, Glen (25 February 2022). "City Beat - Jim's New Gig". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  3. ^ "QIC Dynamic Investment Solutions :: Who is QIC". QIC. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  4. ^ Corbett, Charlie (2 March 2007). "QIC appoints head of alpha". InvestorDaily. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  5. ^ May, Julie (17 December 2009). "Telstra Super appoints CIO". InvestorDaily. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  6. ^ "New Chief Investment Officer to continue award winning performance" (PDF) (Press release). TelstraSuper. 16 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Telstra Super Facts". Telstra Super. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  8. ^ "Telstra Super CIO Jim Christensen resigns". Australian Financial Review. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Telstra Super CIO moves back to QIC after five years". Money Management. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Australian Corporate CIO Exits for Asset Manager". Chief Investment Officer. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  11. ^ "QIC Appoints Jim Christensen as Managing Director, Global Multi Asset". Queensland Investment Corporation. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  12. ^ "QIC CIO Departs for Middle Eastern Fund". Chief Investment Officer. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  13. ^ "QIC promotes deputy CIO for Queensland business to CIO". Pensions & Investments. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. ^ Richardson, Tom (28 March 2024). "Inside the Queensland family office making 15pc". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  15. ^ Rowley, David (7 August 2013). "TelstraSuper: size-conscious success". Top 1000 Funds. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  16. ^ "Chief Investment Officers Symposium" (PDF). Centre for Investor Education. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "FEAL National Conference" (PDF). Fund Executives Association Ltd. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  18. ^ "Port Douglas draws conference with delegates holding $4 trillion investment funds". The Cairns Post. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  19. ^ Patten, Sally (2 August 2014). "Super's great gains won't be repeated". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  20. ^ Purves, Dan (30 March 2015). "CIO of the Year Shortlist Announced". Investment Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  21. ^ Rowley, David (21 May 2015). "Jim Christensen: CIO of the Year". Investment Magazine. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  22. ^ purves, Dan (21 May 2015). "Christensen Named CIO of the Year". Professional Planner. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  23. ^ Rowley, David (11 February 2015). "Super Salary Survey". Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  24. ^ Purves, Dan (2 February 2015). "Chief Investment Officers out earn chief executives". Investment Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
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