Bevin recently retired as general manager investments, New Zealand Government Superannuation Fund Authority and the National Provident Fund (managing more than $7 billion of funds), a role he held for 18 years.

For the 17 years prior to that he was chief executive and chief investment officer of wholesale investment manager Tower Asset Management with around $8 billion funds under management. There he was responsible for developing and leading investment strategy formation, investment manager selection and review and negotiation of commercial terms across all asset classes.

Bevin is also a licensed independent trustee and has been on the board of the BNZ Officers’ Provident Association since 2005. He also serves on the investment committees of a family office and its charitable foundation. From 1995 to 2001 he was a member of the NZ Stock Exchange market surveillance panel.

Octagon chief investment officer Paul Robertshawe says the appointment comes at a time when the boutique NZ$0.5b fund manager is focusing on attracting external mandates and direct retail investment into its funds.

“As a former CEO, Paul understands business strategy and financial management, staff engagement and financial alignment with organisational goals. His depth of experience and knowledge will be invaluable to helping us execute our strategy and ensure best practice funds management disciplines,” Robertshawe says.

Bevin says the move “reflects my confidence in the strategy to grow Octagon Asset Management into a leading wholesale fund manager and in the team of professionals in the business.”

He joins Richard Bodman as the other independent director on the Octagon board of three directors with the intention that he will become chair in the second half of 2023.

Octagon Asset Management was established by Forsyth Barr in late 2021.  It manages NZ$0.5b across seven asset classes and the Summer KiwiSaver scheme.