New Uniting Financial Services Executive Director Commences

Mr Michael Anderson, Chairman of Treasury and Investment Services for Uniting Financial Services, announced today that Mr Warren Bird has commenced in the position of Executive Director, Treasury and Investment Services. He replaces Mr Neil King, who has been in the position for two and a half years. Mr King will commence in a new role with The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod on 16 February 2015.

Mr Anderson said that the Board was looking forward to working with Mr Bird. “We are excited to have Warren on board to further the mission of the Church through providing wise treasury and investment advice and a strong distribution,” said Mr Anderson.

Mr Bird has been consulting and writing on investments for the past 2 years, prior to which he was Co-head of Global  Fixed Interest and Credit at Colonial First State. During his 16 years in that role he managed up to $60B in portfolios invested in cash, government securities and corporate bonds for individual and institutional clients in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the UK.  He will also continue with his role as a member of the Investment Committee of a $20B super fund. Mr Bird’s background includes serving on the boards of not for profit organisations.

“I’m really looking forward to bringing my passion for sound investment processes and excellent client service to Uniting Financial Services,” said Mr Bird. “The current investment climate is a challenging one, but the team and I will do our best to deliver strong returns in support of the mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and ACT.”

Uniting Financial Services’ investment portfolio consists of a mix of lending, commercial property, cash and fixed interest. The majority of funds are invested through lending to Uniting Church organisations, external borrowers and investing in fixed interest securities. Direct property investments and cash make up the remainder. Over the past ten years, funds under management have grown significantly, from just over $400 million to more than $1 billion.

In announcing Mr King’s departure, Mr Anderson said, “Neil has made an outstanding contribution to Uniting Financial Services as Executive Director. The Board appreciates his strong contribution to the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW and the ACT, both within Treasury and Investments and through his wider leadership role in the Synod.”