After studying accountancy and finance at university in New Zealand Philippa worked as a graduate accountant for a chartered accountancy firm.

She gained valuable skills, and wanted more varied and challenging work and was attracted to the finance industry. To facilitate a shift in industry she began studying for the CFA and got a job on a private wealth graduate programme for one of Australasia’s largest banks, Westpac. After spending time in Westpac’s investment operations and insurance products teams she moved into the investment solutions team as an analyst. Her focus was on investment manager research, with involvement in all areas of the investment process, from strategic and tactical asset allocation through to client reporting and governance committees.

After four years in the investment solutions team she wanted to further develop her skills and look for different opportunities within the asset management industry. After a six-month career break doing charity work and travelling in Eastern Africa and South America, she relocated to London from New Zealand, and built upon her investment experience by moving into her current role as a portfolio manager in Aon’s fiduciary business.

Since joining Aon in 2019, Philippa has become lead portfolio manager for 14 clients (c.£1b AUM) and three asset class funds (c.£2.6B AUM). She is the fiduciary lead for responsible investment, and is heavily involved in presenting to researchers and clients and pitching for new business.

She enjoys helping more junior team members develop and does regular formal and informal development and mentoring sessions with colleagues. She has recently taken on people management responsibilities, managing four junior colleagues. She also contributes outside her formal role responsibilities, and has participated in several initiatives, including initiatives focussed on boosting social mobility, and tutoring students from underprivileged backgrounds. She is passionate about health and fitness and outside of her role at Aon is a group fitness and Pilates instructor.