Royal & SunAlliance combined its funds management operations with Guardian Trust, following its acquisition of Tyndall Australia, in June last year. As part of the merger RSA decided to move its funds management team to Auckland, however former chief investment officer Tim McGuinness decided to stay in the capital.

Quirk moves to Guardian Trust with an impressive seven-year track record at ANZFM which includes quadrupling its funds under management and launching the innovative Ascent Investment Programme which is done in conjunction with Frank Russell.

One of his goals at Guardian Trust is to double its funds under management, which currently stand at $4 billion.

The appointment is Royal & SunAlliance’s most significant in the past 18 months and was carefully considered to ensure the best skills available, chief executive Alan Bradley says.

"Over the past year we have been laying the foundations to build a world class team. Anthony is a very skilled and professional operator with a high level of technical funds management skills. He will bring a strong, dynamic leadership to the team and his appointment demonstrates our commitment to being world class," he says.

Quirk will be based in Auckland from May 1 and will report to Guardian Trust managing director Rob Flannagan.