Booster appoints new Chief Investment Officer

O’Grady was in the equivalent role at Kiwi Wealth/Kiwi Invest for nearly a decade before going out as an independent investment and governance consultant in 2021.

Booster Chief Executive Officer, Di Papadopoulos, says the company is excited to welcome O’Grady.

“Simon’s a recognised and respected leader in New Zealand’s investment sector with deep experience and leadership in retail wealth management, KiwiSaver schemes, private equity and unlisted assets.

“He’s coming to Booster at a time when investment markets remain complicated, there’s a lot of competition among KiwiSaver providers and a lot going on in the private investment space. We’re delighted to welcome someone of his experience and standing to our team,” says Di Papadopoulos.

O’Grady says he was attracted to working at Booster because of its strong customer first culture, Kiwi ownership and focus.

“Booster is a growing provider of financial services, showing innovation and a customer first ethos in its approach. I am delighted to be joining such a talented team and to contribute to a New Zealand focused business committed to helping Kiwis strengthen their financial resilience,” says Simon O’Grady.

O’Grady steps into the Chief Investment Officer role vacated by Nic Craven’s earlier move to Booster’s investment committee.

This caps a busy period of senior appointments within Booster, with the appointment in March of longtime Chief Customer Officer Di Papadopoulos as CEO and with the role Papadopoulos vacated being taken up by Nadine Brown who was most recently Digital Channels and Enterprise Lead at Foodstuffs South Island.