AFL Investments Announces New Hires

AFL Investments today [Oct 27] announced three new hires who bring “extensive investment and managerial expertise” to the financial services company.

Joel Schaefer joins as President and Chief Executive Officer, Simon Giffen has been appointed Senior Investment Officer and Wealth Manager, and Julie Preece takes the role of Wealth Manager. All three new employees are Bermudian.

Simon Giffen, Julie Preece and Joel Schaefer:

Joel Schaefer, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Schaefer is responsible for all segments of the investment business including execution of the strategic plan and management of discretionary accounts for high net worth clients, institutions and foundations.

With more than 20 years of investment experience, Mr. Schaefer most recently managed the private investments of a European family.

Previously, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital G Investments for ten years where he established the investment process for the company and was responsible for the growth, regulatory compliance and profitability of the business.

Mr. Schaefer earned his Chartered Financial Analyst [CFA] designation in 1997 and has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wesleyan University.

Simon Giffen, CFA, TEP, Senior Investment Officer and Wealth Manager

Mr. Giffen will assist Mr. Schaefer in the strategic development of AFL. Mr. Giffen provides investment advice to clients, including local businesses, trusts, endowments and high net worth private clients.

Mr. Giffen joins AFL after spending five years working at Gray Philanthropies Limited and Orbis Investment Management Limited where he served in a family office role advising the Chairman. Prior to this, he worked for 11 years at HSBC Bermuda and its predecessor, Bank of Bermuda, in a variety of client-facing roles dealing with high net worth and institutional clients.

While there, he was seconded to the New York office of HSBC Global Asset Management in the capacity of Head of Client Services. He holds an honours bachelor’s degree in law and accounting from Kingston University and a post-graduate diploma in legal practice from The College of Law.

He is a CFA charterholder as well as a member of the Bermuda CFA Society. Additionally, Simon holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner [TEP] professional designation.

Julie Preece, Wealth Manager

Mrs. Preece is primarily responsible for client services at AFL. She conducts training seminars to help educate existing clients and the broader community about the benefits of investing.

Prior to joining AFL, Mrs. Preece worked in education and training at the Bermuda Insurance Institute and also served as Head of Insurance for the Bermuda Monetary Authority [BMA]. Prior to the BMA, Mrs. Preece was an Officer at Bank of Bermuda, where she worked in positions of increasing responsibility for 12 years.

Mrs. Preece has a master’s degree in management and human relations from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology from Queen’s University.

Alison Hill, Chief Executive Officer of the Argus Group, says: “These new hires bring a wealth of experience and insight to AFL customers. Joel and Simon have proven track records of delivering exceptional value to individual and institutional investors and Julie brings stellar client-relations experience.

“Combined with the investment tools available from our joint venture partner, Cidel, the team has the expertise to allow AFL to expand its current offerings to high net worth individuals.”

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Category: All, Business