Meet the team
The Investment Team that governs the decisions made on our Portfolios draws value from its members’ extensive years of market and investment experience. The Committee is
constantly reviewing the global macroeconomic environment and both domestic and international share markets so that we can make proactive and timely decisions on behalf of our clients.
Adrian is a Portfolio Manager and Equity Strategist within the Watershed Funds Management Investment Team. Adrian is a specialist in the delivery of Managed Account Solutions with over 15 years' experience managing funds across multiple platforms, structures and asset classes. Adrian is the Portfolio Manager for the Watershed Australian Share SMA and Income SMA and a member of the Asset Allocation, International Share and Emerging Leaders Investment teams.
Ben is a Portfolio Manager within our Investment Team with a particular focus on the ASX Mid-Cap Sector. Ben graduated from Harvard University in 1996 with a major in economics. He was then one of four graduate students chosen nationwide to participate in the JB Were Graduate Program which involved a three month rotation through all departments of the investment house. After eighteen months he became an Investment Adviser on the Wholesale Dealing Desk, a role he performed for the next three years, before spending two years in London working as a Derivatives Analyst for Northern Trust. Upon his return to Melbourne Ben worked for a boutique private bank where he was a member of the Investment Committee which dictated the investment policy, the model portfolio construction and the desired asset allocation across the $1BN client base before he joined the team.
Adam is a highly experienced, entrepreneurial, business executive with a proven track record in delivering solutions across dealer services and funds management. Adam was previously the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a successful boutique Melbourne advisory firm. Adam’s hands on experience and deep knowledge provides exceptional insights to financial advisers and their business management needs.
Adam is responsible for directing all Watershed’s resources to implement a strategic plan for growth. A key focus for Adam is sourcing talent and identifying strengths to build, empower, and lead a high performing team. His commitment to personal and professional growth is crucial to enhancing a positive culture at Watershed, driving motivation, and maximum performance.
Adam also oversees Watershed’s daily operations and compliance regime. His ultimate goal is to protect capital for our clients when establishing and delivering investment strategies.
Fred Strauss
Portfolio Manager
Fred Strauss
Portfolio Manager
Fred’s role in the Investment Team is to provide investment analysis and research support. He has a strong interest particularly in the US market economy and provides valuable insight into international markets.
Fred has a wide range of experience of more than 25 years in the areas of finance and investment. He has worked alongside Chief Financial Officers and in senior financial roles at large listed and unlisted companies in a range of industries including financial services. He also worked as Group Treasurer for a large listed multi-national paper manufacturer and spent four years working in Investment Banking specialising in the area of Structured Finance. During the past five years his focus has been on portfolio management and investment analysis and research.
Fred is qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) and as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, the CFA Institute (Charlottesville, USA) and the CFA Society of Melbourne.
Graeme has vast experience in investment research and business analysis and is a CFA Charterholder. His most recent experience has been with Deloitte as a Senior Consultant in their investment wealth and advisory practice. Prior to Deloitte, Graeme was the Head of Research at the Centre for Institutional Investors and earlier held various analytical roles at Mutual Trust, Greencape Capital and Zenith Investment Partners.
Hamish is an Portfolio Manager providing support to the Investment Team in trading and execution. Hamish graduated from RMIT university with distinction having completed a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Economics and Finance. He has been with the firm for three years transitioning from administration, to a role in the investment management team. His role includes supporting senior portfolio managers, tactical asset allocation changes, implementing investment decisions and ensuring that portfolio strategy is applied correctly.
Callum provides research and analytical support to the Investment Team. His prior role was as a Portfolio Analyst at Australian Unity, where he provided analytical and operational support to a property fund. Callum has also held investment research roles at Frontier Advisors and Lonsec Research, where he covered fund managers across the Australian market, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Shantelle is National Distribution Manager. In her role, she is responsible for the distribution of Watershed’s investment capabilities to our institutional and financial advisor clients and developing investment solutions with licensees and financial planning businesses. Shantelle has over 11 years experience in the Financial Services industry. In her previous role as a Relationship Manager at one of the big 4 banks, she was responsible for managing the financial needs of high net worth clients. Shantelle’s warm personality and exceptional communication skills enable her to work closely with our clients to better understand their needs and deliver their desired investment outcomes.
As General Manager, Peter is responsible for growth strategies, operational efficiency, innovation and adviser services, across the Watershed Group.
Peter has over 25years experience in financial services ranging from investment advice, restructuring and coaching advice businesses, innovation and growing businesses to their full potential.
Peter developed strong skills and experience at Commonwealth Bank Private, CommSec, Private business, Financial Wisdom and Centrepoint Alliance.
Peter is an advocate for technological innovation, adviser coaching, supporting practices to provide quality advice to investors.
Tom is our Business Associate. In his role, he is responsible for the distribution of Watershed’s investment capabilities to our institutional and financial advisor clients and developing investment solutions with licensees and financial planning businesses. Graduating from RMIT with a bachelors in International Business and Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, Tom has over 10 years experience in client services and over 5 years experience in the Financial Services industry after moving across from high net worth private wealth firms. Tom has a keen interest in equity markets and strong drive to deliver the best outcomes for clients.