GSFM has appointed Robert Johanson AO as the new chair, effective from 1 October 2024.

Mr Johanson’s appointment follows the retirement of Andrew McKinnon, founder of GSFM and current executive chairman of the GSFM board, a position he has held since 2017.

Damien McIntyre, GSFM CEO, said: “We welcome Robert to the board and are looking forward to working with him to continue to grow the GSFM presence in the Australian market. He has over thirty years’ experience in corporate finance and investment banking and he has been involved in a wide array of capital markets transactions for several leading corporations.”

Mr Johanson was previously chairman of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited for 12 years and was a director of Grant Samuel for over 20 years. He was also Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, chairman of the Australia India Institute and a member of the Takeovers Panel. He is currently chairman of the Australian Friends of Asha for Slums and a director of Melbourne Business School and the Robert Salzer Foundation.

He is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, where he studied arts and law, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws. He also holds an MBA from Harvard University.

Mr McIntyre also paid tribute to Mr McKinnon who co-founded GSFM (then Grant Samuel Funds Management) in 2007.

Mr McIntyre said: “On behalf of GSFM, I extend our thanks and appreciation to Andrew. He has been an integral part of the GSFM business for 17 years, from inception as its first CEO, and ultimately as executive chairman.”

“From all the staff and executives at GSFM and the board, we wish Andrew a wonderful retirement, and all the best as he starts this next chapter in his life.”

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