Philo People

Advice firms using Philo Capital Advisers can benefit from the extensive experience of its two principals, Brett Sanders and Toby Potter and the senior Philo team.  We work collaboratively with client firms and their chosen asset consultants and platforms to design an approach to managed accounts that suits their particular goals and strategies.  

 
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Brett Sanders - Chief Executive

Brett has been actively involved in designing and implementing managed account services since 2009 and co-founded Philo Capital Advisers in 2011.  He was a driving force in seeing it grow to over $3.2 billion in investor funds under advice in just over 3 years.  He brings extensive experience in asset consulting, financial services technology and general management to his role at Philo.  Brett was project manager and executive responsible for the design of Centric Wealth's highly successful managed account program.

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Toby Potter - Executive Director

Toby is one of Australia's most experienced and successful managed account executives. Prior to joining Philo Toby was responsible for platform strategy and managed accounts at IOOF and before that Shadforths group.  At IOOF he designed and implemented managed account programs tailored to the needs of different AFSL holders in that group.  Toby was also the founder of Investment Administration Services – one of Australia’s first managed account administrators.  Toby is a strong advocate for all forms of managed accounts and is the Chair of the Institute of Managed Account Professionals (IMAP).

 
 
 
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James Freeman - Head of Investments

James brings Australian and offshore experience in product development and model portfolio design to his role as Head of Investments. His career at Macquarie Bank involved him working closely with the platform, wealth management and private banking businesses. He now works closely with Philo’s client firms, whether they choose to use external asset consultants to manage model portfolios or they act in that role themselves. James’ role covers portfolio manager due diligence and monitoring as well as helping advice firms to communicate their investment proposition more powerfully. He is a CFA Charterholder and has a Master of Commerce degree from the University of NSW.

 
 
 
 

Jemmy Pola - Head of Operations

Jemmy has over thirteen years in the financial services industry. He is a highly focused investment operations manager with experience spanning operations, business transformation and project management.  Jemmy has deep specialisation in managed discretionary accounts (MDAs) having spent the majority of his working life managing MDAs operations and seeing the different ways that MDA services can be deployed.  In addition to his operational focus, he has a strong understanding of how managed accounts extend the value proposition of advice businesses.

 
 
 
 

Sam Istanbouli - Portfolio Administration Manager

With over 6 years of experience in operations at both Ord Minnett and MLC, Sam boasts a wealth of expertise working with a diverse range of investment products, such as domestic and international equity, ETF's, fixed-income securities, and options. In addition, he possesses a deep understanding of commission and fee disbursements, fee reporting, and tax reporting. Sam possesses a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and is currently pursuing a Masters of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Sydney.

 

Jessica Zhang - Managed Accounts Administrator

Jessica has over 8 years of working experience in financial services. Her qualifications and work experience have given her strong technical skills, attention to detail, analytical abilities, a client-focused mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Professional Accounting from Macquarie University and has completed certificates such as RG146 Compliance Solution-Generic Knowledge and Foreign Exchange, Kaplan Funds Management Markets and Products, and LGCA certificate in Compliance.