JANA appoints new Co-Head of Not-For-Profit Clients

One of Australia’s largest investment consulting firms, JANA, has appointed leading consultant Michael Maher as co-head of the not-for-profit client sector.

Mr Maher has extensive experience in developing investment strategies and investment solutions in the not-for-profit sector. He joins JANA following a distinguished career at Mercer, most recently as Pacific Client Segment Leader for Endowments and Foundations. Prior to joining Mercer in 2007, Mr Maher worked at ClearView Wealth and the Commonwealth Bank.

Speaking on the announcement, Principial Consultant for JANA, Duncan Smith, said, “JANA has seen increasing demand from various non-super clients, including not-for-profits, wanting to access our extensive investment advisory expertise. This has been driven, in part, by the need to maintain returns and distributions in a low interest rate environment.”

“In Michael Maher, we saw an opportunity to address this heightened demand with an outstanding individual that brings the right experience, capability and culture to our fast-growing not-for-profit team.”.

Mr Maher said, “the unique characteristics of the not-for-profit sector make it an exciting space to work in. I’m looking forward to joining JANA, whose extensive investment capabilities, dynamic client base and powerful commitment to clients offer an exciting opportunity to work for not-for-profit clients and enable them to deliver unique benefits to their beneficiaries.”

JANA’s NFP division is one of our fastest-growing client groups, comprising close to half of JANA clients by number. New JANA clients in the NFP space include TUH Health Fund and Foundation North, New Zealand’s largest philanthropic trust.

Mr Maher joins JANA effective 15 June 2021. He will work closely with fellow co-head of not-for-profit, Michael Karagianis.