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AMP announces appointment of AMP Capital CEO
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11 June 2021
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AMP Limited today announces the appointment of internationally respected asset management executive Shawn Johnson as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMP Capital.

Mr Johnson served as Senior Managing Director and Chairman of the Investment Committee of State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) for almost a decade. In this role, he had global oversight and responsibility for over 450 investment strategies and US$2.1 trillion in client assets, including management of all SSGA’s private equity businesses.

While at SSGA, Mr Johnson also served as the volunteer Chairman of the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC) from 2008-10. FSSCC is a non-profit organisation that coordinates critical infrastructure and US homeland security activities within the financial services industry and works collaboratively with key government agencies.

More recently, Mr Johnson led his own alternative investments businesses, including management of a global macro hedge fund and various private investment strategies.

As AMP Capital CEO, Mr Johnson will lead its international growth strategy and the proposed demerger of the private markets businesses (“Private Markets”) which is expected to complete in 1H 22.

Mr Johnson will begin his role on 28 June 2021. Mr Johnson will be based initially in Sydney, Australia but will work on a global basis across the key international offices of the Private Markets business.

David Atkin, AMP Capital Deputy CEO, will continue in his role until 31 July 2021 to facilitate a smooth handover to Mr Johnson, before leaving the organisation as planned.

AMP Chair Debra Hazelton commented:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Shawn as AMP Capital Chief Executive. Shawn’s extensive experience and knowledge of global investment management, particularly private markets, makes him an exceptional leader for AMP Capital.

“His experience as a leader in one of the world’s largest asset management firms, State Street Global Advisors, where he played a key role in markedly growing the business and navigating the global financial crisis, will be invaluable.

“Shawn has managed a joint venture holding of boutique asset management firms across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia, while also having experience in retirement planning in the US and Australia. Moreover, Shawn’s more recent experience with his own alternative asset businesses is a practical demonstration of his entrepreneurial capabilities.

“As AMP Capital separates from AMP and establishes a new culture and brand, Shawn has clearly demonstrated his capability to lead and inspire teams of highly capable investment professionals.

“We would like to thank both Francesco De Ferrari and David Atkin for their leadership of AMP Capital and are delighted that David has agreed to extend his period as Deputy CEO to ensure a smooth handover to Shawn throughout July.” 

Shawn Johnson commented:

“AMP Capital is a globally-respected investment manager, and I’m excited by the significant potential for international growth but also in Australia. I’m confident of its underlying strength and the depth of its investment, distribution, and operational talent. Our focus will be to harness these strengths as we set up as a new, independent organisation following separation from AMP.

“It’s an exciting challenge to which I believe I can bring my experience, passion and energy for growing businesses and leading a highly skilled organisation. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams, meeting our key clients, and moving our business forward.”  

Shawn Johnson biography

Shawn Johnson is an accomplished global asset management executive. He served as Senior Managing Director and Chairman of the Investment Committee for State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) from 2003 to 2012, and prior to that as Director of Global Fundamental Research. During his time with SSGA, assets under management rose from US$390 billion to US$2.1 trillion.

During his tenure at SSGA, Mr Johnson served on several boards and committees, including as Chair of its Proxy Review Committee, responsible for voting all shares owned by SSGA, and its Oversight Committee, which was charged with responding to market crises. He was also a member of the Funding Committee, which oversaw seed capital funding for new strategies. He was on the Board of Directors for The Tuckerman Group – a real estate investment management business – and Global Alliance – a holding company of boutique asset management companies around the world. He was also a member of the investment committees for real estate investments and private asset management.  

Mr Johnson was appointed as Chairman of the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC) from 2008 to 2010 – a private sector organisation that coordinates US homeland security and critical infrastructure projects with US federal financial regulators. He also served as Board Chair of the Association of Institutional Investors.  

More recently, Mr Johnson established his own alternative investment business, including a global macro hedge fund and private equity and debt investment strategies.

Mr Johnson has extensive experience in technology, having worked as a senior executive at MGA Software and TMT Software Company in the 1990s with large international institutional clients across a range of industries. He began his career at General Electric’s Aerospace Business Group.

Mr Johnson is an American citizen, currently based in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (Virginia Tech) and an MBA (Dartmouth College). He also served as Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve.