Aequitas Names Libby Newman Head of Asset Consulting
The former Vanguard Australia strategist will lead the firm's asset consulting capability.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Investing
Aequitas Investment Partners has named Libby Newman head of asset consulting, a role she takes up after joining from Vanguard Australia. The appointment follows Aequitas' hire of a former Vanguard senior consultant as principal asset consultant in May.
Why it matters
The hire adds senior research experience to Aequitas' advisory offering as the firm builds out its asset consulting function. It also reflects a continuing flow of talent between large investment managers and independent investment consultants in Australia.
Newman brings close to six years at Vanguard as senior investment specialist of strategy and research and over 13 years at Lonsec, totalling more than 25 years of experience. The announcement does not state the scale of the asset consulting team or the assets under advice.
The players
Aequitas Investment Partners
An Australian independent investment firm founded in 2020 by former Commonwealth Private executives, which provides investment consulting and advice to advisers and clients.
Libby Newman
An Australian investment professional with more than 25 years in the industry, previously a senior investment specialist at Vanguard Australia and a leader at Lonsec.
Vanguard Australia
The Australian arm of the global investment manager Vanguard, known for low-cost index and managed funds.
The details
Newman joins Aequitas from Vanguard Australia, where she was a senior investment specialist, and previously worked at Lonsec in leadership roles and at Suncorp's fund management business. She will lead Aequitas' asset consulting capability, connecting investment research with practical adviser support.
Timeline
2020: Aequitas founded by a team of former Commonwealth Private executives.
May 2026: Aequitas hires a former Vanguard senior consultant as principal asset consultant.
4 November 2026: Libby Newman's appointment as head of asset consulting is reported.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows the pattern of senior researchers leaving large fund managers for independent consultancies such as Lonsec, where asset consulting has grown as advisers seek external research. It positions Aequitas to compete for adviser mandates in a market where independent research houses are increasingly important.
For investors using advisers, the quality of asset consulting research can influence the portfolios their advisers recommend. Clients may see differences in fund selection as Aequitas builds out its consulting team under Newman.
The takeaway
Investors can ask their adviser how their portfolio is researched and whether independent consulting informs fund choices. Understanding the research behind recommendations helps readers judge the advice they receive.
Further reading
Explore more on Investing to see how asset consulting shapes adviser recommendations in Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Standard.
