What We do
Contango Asset Management Limited (ASX:CGA) is an ASX listed fund manager with a marketing and distribution platform that partners with, and promotes, high quality fund managers to the self-directed and Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) channels of the $3.1 trillion* superannuation industry.
Our purpose is to provide investors with access to high-quality fund managers that will help them achieve their financial objectives.
The Contango Group has an exclusive retail distribution arrangement to distribute global equities manager WCM Investment Management in the Australian retail market.
WCM is a California-based investment management firm specialising in active global and emerging market equities. Founded in 1976, WCM is majority employee owned and manages A$130.6 billion (as at 30 June 2021) on behalf of institutional and retail investors around the world including Australia.
WCM’s investment process is based on the belief that corporate culture is the biggest influence on a company’s ability to grow its competitive advantage or ‘moat’. This process has resulted in WCM’s Quality Global Growth Equity Strategy Composite outperforming the MSCI World Index by an annualised 6.2% per annum over more than a decade (inception 31 March 2008).Contango distributes and promotes WCM’s large-cap, small-cap, and long-short strategies in Australia.
The Group also operates Switzer Asset Management (SAM) a wholly-owned subsidiary that provides investment solutions for self-directed investors and SMSF trustees.
SAM is the responsible entity of the Switzer Dividend Growth Fund (Quoted Managed Fund) (ASX:SWTZ) and the Switzer Higher Yield Fund (Managed Fund) which is managed by Chris Joye’s Coolabah Capital.
Our People
Roger Amos
Non-executive Chairman
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Roger Amos
FCA, FAICD
Non-executive Chairman
Roger was appointed to the Board in June 2007 and became Chairman six months later. Roger is an independent director of HT&E Limited. Roger was a director of REA Group Limited from 2006 to 2020, director of Enero Group Limited from 2006 to 2010 and a director of 3P Learning Limited. He was also a director until May 2012 of Austar United Communications Limited. He was Chairman of Opera Foundation Australia from 2009 to 2014 and is a Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. He previously had a long and distinguished career with the international accounting firm KPMG, retiring in June 2006 after 25 years as a partner.
Martin Switzer
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
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Martin Switzer
B.Ec (Hons)
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Martin is Chief Executive Officer of Contango Asset Management Limited (CAML), a position he has held since 27 October 2017. Prior to that he was a director of CAML and held that position since 25 August 2016. He is also a director of Switzer Asset Management Limited (since 30 December 2015), a director of WCM Global Growth Limited (since 9 February 2017), and a director of Contango Income Generator Limited (since 21 February 2019).
Before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of CAML, Martin was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Switzer Financial Group, a content and financial services business. He has been a host on the Sky News Business channel, as well as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force Financial Services Consumer Centre.
Nerida Campbell
Independent Non-executive Director
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Nerida Campbell
B.Bus, CA, FINSIA, GAICD.
Independent Non-executive Director
Nerida was appointed to the board on 17 August 2018 following a 25 year career in the financial services industry. Most recently she acted as the Chief Operating Officer of Magellan Financial Group Limited, having also held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. Prior to this, Nerida was the CFO of UBS AG Australia, and had roles at ABN Amro Australia Limited, Bankers Trust Australia Limited and Ernst and Whinney. She was also a member of the ASX Disciplinary Tribunal Panel.
Ken Poutakidis
Independent Non-executive Director
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Ken Poutakidis
Independent Non-executive Director
Ken Poutakidis is corporate adviser and corporate finance executive with 20 years of finance experience. He is the Managing Director and Founder of Avenue Advisory, a boutique advisory firm providing corporate finance and capital markets advice to emerging companies. Previously, Mr Poutakidis worked as a management consultant and a corporate finance executive with leading equity firms across Australia and Asia. His particular expertise includes capital raisings, mergers & acquisitions, corporate advisory, asset divestment and strategy development. He has previously served as Chairman of the Board and Non-Executive Director for numerous publicly listed ASX companies. He sits on the Advisory Board of a leading civil contractor, and is the founder and Chair of the Theofilos Foundation, a charity formed to support students improve their education outcomes. He has a Bachelor of Business degree from Monash University.
Martin Switzer
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Read Bio
Martin Switzer
B.Ec (Hons)
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Martin is Chief Executive Officer of Contango Asset Management Limited (CAML), a position he has held since 27 October 2017. Prior to that he was a director of CAML and held that position since 25 August 2016. He is also a director of Switzer Asset Management Limited (since 30 December 2015), a director of WCM Global Growth Limited (since 9 February 2017), and a director of Contango Income Generator Limited (since 21 February 2019).
Before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of CAML, Martin was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Switzer Financial Group, a content and financial services business. He has been a host on the Sky News Business channel, as well as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force Financial Services Consumer Centre.
Sally Smith
Head of Compliance
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Sally Smith
MBA, MAppFin, BSc., DFP, ADFP, SMSF
Head of Compliance
Sally has over 20 years of experience in asset management, wealth management and superannuation. She has worked in a range of compliance functions, including as a compliance specialist, and a fund manager, investment analyst and adviser with AMP Capital, BT Financial Group and ANZ. She also has extensive experience across regulatory, advisory, business monitoring, operational and reporting.
Sally holds two Masters degrees (including a Masters of Applied Finance), a Bachelor of Science, Chartered Financial Analyst (Level 1), Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (ADFP), Diploma of Financial Planning (DFP), and Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) and Margin Lending accreditations. She is fully RG146 compliant. Sally is a member of the Governance, Risk & Compliance Institute (GRCI) and Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).
Ben Meakin
Head of Operations
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Ben Meakin
BBus, CPA
Head of Operations
Ben has over 15 years’ experience across operations and finance. Ben commenced his career within chartered accounting before moving to Macquarie Asset Management within the Macquarie Group, most recently as Senior Manager of Fund & Portfolio Administration for Asia Pacific. He has extensive experience across operational, regulatory and taxation requirements for listed and unlisted entities, both Australian and global, across all asset classes. In addition, he has extensive experience across project management, transitions and operational design and implementation.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Business and is a member of CPA Australia.
Tom Hickey
Head of Marketing
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Tom Hickey
B Comm, RG146 Managed Investments
Head of Marketing
After working closely with the Contango team for a number of years, Tom joined the business in October 2018. As Head of Marketing, Tom’s key focus is to promote Contango’s suite of products to an audience of self-direct investors, and to manage private client relationships.
Previously Tom has worked as General Manager, Investments at Switzer Financial Group. Tom holds a Bachelor of Communications from Charles Sturt University and RG146, Managed Investments. He has experience working in the UK, France and Australia.
For private client enquiries, contact Tom on 1300 001 750.
Andrew Aitken
Head of Distribution
Read Bio
Andrew Aitken
Head of Distribution
Andrew Aitken is the Head of Distribution at Contango Asset Management and is responsible for setting the distribution strategies that support the growth and success of our products/funds, as well as leading the direct sales team. With over 25 years of working in the funds management industry, Andrew has extensive experience as a distribution executive. He founded Daruka Capital Partners in 2017, was CEO until 2021, and remains a non-executive of the firm. Prior to this, Andrew was the Head of Distribution at Bennelong Funds Management. Andrew guided the Institutional and Retail business from the start in 2008 to an $8billion multi-boutique powerhouse in 2017. Andrew also held senior roles at Ausbil Dexia, IOOF (Perennial) and Aberdeen Asset Management.
Andrew is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business.
Andrew Keay
Head of Direct
Read Bio
Andrew Keay
Head of Direct
Andrew has over 30 years of experience in financial services at senior executive levels. He holds a Bachelor of Business, Grad Diploma in Applied Finance, and is a qualified mediator. He has worked with well-known firms such as Perpetual, Macquarie Bank, Fidelity International, and AMP Capital.
During this time he was responsible for developing investment funds utilising listed and unlisted asset classes.
Andrew is a licensed financial advisor with a passion for the aged care sector.
He is a very keen endurance swimmer, crossing the English Channel in July 2019 and becoming the eighth Australian to successfully complete the Ice Mile swim at Lake Crackenback in July 2020.
Spencer White
Business Development Manager
Read Bio
Spencer White
Business Development Manager
Spencer has over 7 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry. During this time, he has held roles in Corporate Finance at Shaw and Partners and most recently Wealth and Capital Markets at Australian Unity. Spencer’s key focus is to promote Contango’s suite of products to both retail and wholesale clients.
Spencer also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Notre Dame, and RG146 – Management Investments and Securities. Spencer also serves on the board of The Scots College – Old Boys Union.
Roger Amos
Non-executive Chairman
Read Bio
Roger Amos
FCA, FAICD
Non-executive Chairman
Roger was appointed to the Board in June 2007 and became Chairman six months later. Roger is an independent director of HT&E Limited. Roger was a director of REA Group Limited from 2006 to 2020, director of Enero Group Limited from 2006 to 2010 and a director of 3P Learning Limited. He was also a director until May 2012 of Austar United Communications Limited. He was Chairman of Opera Foundation Australia from 2009 to 2014 and is a Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. He previously had a long and distinguished career with the international accounting firm KPMG, retiring in June 2006 after 25 years as a partner.
Martin Switzer
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Read Bio
Martin Switzer
B.Ec (Hons)
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Martin is Chief Executive Officer of Contango Asset Management Limited (CAML), a position he has held since 27 October 2017. Prior to that he was a director of CAML and held that position since 25 August 2016. He is also a director of Switzer Asset Management Limited (since 30 December 2015), a director of WCM Global Growth Limited (since 9 February 2017), and a director of Contango Income Generator Limited (since 21 February 2019).
Before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of CAML, Martin was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Switzer Financial Group, a content and financial services business. He has been a host on the Sky News Business channel, as well as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force Financial Services Consumer Centre.
Nerida Campbell
Independent Non-executive Director
Read Bio
Nerida Campbell
B.Bus, CA, FINSIA, GAICD.
Independent Non-executive Director
Nerida was appointed to the board on 17 August 2018 following a 25 year career in the financial services industry. Most recently she acted as the Chief Operating Officer of Magellan Financial Group Limited, having also held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. Prior to this, Nerida was the CFO of UBS AG Australia, and had roles at ABN Amro Australia Limited, Bankers Trust Australia Limited and Ernst and Whinney. She was also a member of the ASX Disciplinary Tribunal Panel.
Ken Poutakidis
Independent Non-executive Director
Read Bio
Ken Poutakidis
Independent Non-executive Director
Ken Poutakidis is corporate adviser and corporate finance executive with 20 years of finance experience. He is the Managing Director and Founder of Avenue Advisory, a boutique advisory firm providing corporate finance and capital markets advice to emerging companies. Previously, Mr Poutakidis worked as a management consultant and a corporate finance executive with leading equity firms across Australia and Asia. His particular expertise includes capital raisings, mergers & acquisitions, corporate advisory, asset divestment and strategy development. He has previously served as Chairman of the Board and Non-Executive Director for numerous publicly listed ASX companies. He sits on the Advisory Board of a leading civil contractor, and is the founder and Chair of the Theofilos Foundation, a charity formed to support students improve their education outcomes. He has a Bachelor of Business degree from Monash University.
Martin Switzer
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Read Bio
Martin Switzer
B.Ec (Hons)
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Martin is Chief Executive Officer of Contango Asset Management Limited (CAML), a position he has held since 27 October 2017. Prior to that he was a director of CAML and held that position since 25 August 2016. He is also a director of Switzer Asset Management Limited (since 30 December 2015), a director of WCM Global Growth Limited (since 9 February 2017), and a director of Contango Income Generator Limited (since 21 February 2019).
Before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of CAML, Martin was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Switzer Financial Group, a content and financial services business. He has been a host on the Sky News Business channel, as well as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force Financial Services Consumer Centre.
Sally Smith
Head of Compliance
Read Bio
Sally Smith
MBA, MAppFin, BSc., DFP, ADFP, SMSF
Head of Compliance
Sally has over 20 years of experience in asset management, wealth management and superannuation. She has worked in a range of compliance functions, including as a compliance specialist, and a fund manager, investment analyst and adviser with AMP Capital, BT Financial Group and ANZ. She also has extensive experience across regulatory, advisory, business monitoring, operational and reporting.
Sally holds two Masters degrees (including a Masters of Applied Finance), a Bachelor of Science, Chartered Financial Analyst (Level 1), Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (ADFP), Diploma of Financial Planning (DFP), and Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) and Margin Lending accreditations. She is fully RG146 compliant. Sally is a member of the Governance, Risk & Compliance Institute (GRCI) and Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).
Ben Meakin
Head of Operations
Read Bio
Ben Meakin
BBus, CPA
Head of Operations
Ben has over 15 years’ experience across operations and finance. Ben commenced his career within chartered accounting before moving to Macquarie Asset Management within the Macquarie Group, most recently as Senior Manager of Fund & Portfolio Administration for Asia Pacific. He has extensive experience across operational, regulatory and taxation requirements for listed and unlisted entities, both Australian and global, across all asset classes. In addition, he has extensive experience across project management, transitions and operational design and implementation.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Business and is a member of CPA Australia.
Tom Hickey
Head of Marketing
Read Bio
Tom Hickey
B Comm, RG146 Managed Investments
Head of Marketing
After working closely with the Contango team for a number of years, Tom joined the business in October 2018. As Head of Marketing, Tom’s key focus is to promote Contango’s suite of products to an audience of self-direct investors, and to manage private client relationships.
Previously Tom has worked as General Manager, Investments at Switzer Financial Group. Tom holds a Bachelor of Communications from Charles Sturt University and RG146, Managed Investments. He has experience working in the UK, France and Australia.
For private client enquiries, contact Tom on 1300 001 750.
Andrew Aitken
Head of Distribution
Read Bio
Andrew Aitken
Head of Distribution
Andrew Aitken is the Head of Distribution at Contango Asset Management and is responsible for setting the distribution strategies that support the growth and success of our products/funds, as well as leading the direct sales team. With over 25 years of working in the funds management industry, Andrew has extensive experience as a distribution executive. He founded Daruka Capital Partners in 2017, was CEO until 2021, and remains a non-executive of the firm. Prior to this, Andrew was the Head of Distribution at Bennelong Funds Management. Andrew guided the Institutional and Retail business from the start in 2008 to an $8billion multi-boutique powerhouse in 2017. Andrew also held senior roles at Ausbil Dexia, IOOF (Perennial) and Aberdeen Asset Management.
Andrew is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business.
Andrew Keay
Head of Direct
Read Bio
Andrew Keay
Head of Direct
Andrew has over 30 years of experience in financial services at senior executive levels. He holds a Bachelor of Business, Grad Diploma in Applied Finance, and is a qualified mediator. He has worked with well-known firms such as Perpetual, Macquarie Bank, Fidelity International, and AMP Capital.
During this time he was responsible for developing investment funds utilising listed and unlisted asset classes.
Andrew is a licensed financial advisor with a passion for the aged care sector.
He is a very keen endurance swimmer, crossing the English Channel in July 2019 and becoming the eighth Australian to successfully complete the Ice Mile swim at Lake Crackenback in July 2020.
Spencer White
Business Development Manager
Read Bio
Spencer White
Business Development Manager
Spencer has over 7 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry. During this time, he has held roles in Corporate Finance at Shaw and Partners and most recently Wealth and Capital Markets at Australian Unity. Spencer’s key focus is to promote Contango’s suite of products to both retail and wholesale clients.
Spencer also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Notre Dame, and RG146 – Management Investments and Securities. Spencer also serves on the board of The Scots College – Old Boys Union.