Geoff Bazzan to retire from Maple-Brown Abbott

After 27 years with Maple-Brown Abbott, Geoff Bazzan, Head of Asia Pacific Equities, has decided to retire from the firm to pursue other opportunities. To ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and continuity for clients, Geoff will remain with the firm until July 2023.

Sophia Rahmani, CEO and Managing Director, said Geoff had made a significant contribution to Maple-Brown Abbott.

“Geoff has helped build a team that has deep and diverse resources and fostered a culture to be proud of,” Ms Rahmani said.

“Our Asian investment strategies also have excellent relative investment performance as markets have become more supportive to the value style.

“We are greatly appreciative of Geoff’s significant contribution to the firm and look forward to our ongoing interactions with him as he continues as an investor in our funds and as a shareholder of Maple-Brown Abbott.”

Ms Rahmani said Will Main who has worked closely with Geoff for the last fifteen years will be promoted to Head of Asia Pacific Equities and assume lead portfolio management responsibilities during the transition period. John Moorhead will lead the combined Asia and Emerging Markets team going forward.

“Will and John are exceptional and well-respected investors and portfolio managers with over 40 years’ experience between them and are well placed to continue to deliver strong outcomes for clients. We expect a seamless transition over the next five months.”

Will Main joined Maple-Brown Abbott in 2007 and has worked alongside Geoff since joining. Will assumed lead portfolio manager responsibilities for a number of Asian equity portfolios in 2019.

John Moorhead joined the firm in October 2021 as Head of Global Emerging Markets and has over 20 years industry experience, most recently with Pictet Asset Management in London where he was Head of Emerging Equities.

John and Will continue to be supported by the wider Asia and Emerging Markets team and work alongside the Australian Value Equities team. Garth Rossler, Chief Investment Officer, continues to oversee both teams. Garth brings deep Australian and Asian investing experience, having started at Maple-Brown Abbott in 1997 as an Australian equity analyst and portfolio manager, and assumed the role as Chief Investment Officer in 2009.

Commenting on his decision to retire from the firm, Geoff said: “It was a difficult decision to leave Maple-Brown Abbott after such a long time. It has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people over my career at the firm and I wish them all the very best and continued success in the future. I am very grateful for the loyal support of many of our longstanding clients and I look forward to retaining a connection to the firm in my capacity as a client and a shareholder going forward. I have greatly appreciated the support of Maple-Brown Abbott and its commitment to investing in Asia.”