Executive management
Dominic Stevens - Chief Executive Officer
Prior to accepting the role of Chief Executive Officer in September 2008, Dominic Stevens was Deputy Managing Director of Challenger. Mr Stevens joined Challenger in September 2003 during which time he primarily held responsibility for overseeing Challenger's capital, risk management and strategy group.
Prior to joining Challenger, Mr Stevens led the foundation and was the Senior Managing Director of Zurich Capital Markets in the Asian region. Zurich Capital Markets Asia, specialised in the areas of structured finance, derivative solutions and provision of risk management products to investors in alternative assets.
From 1987 to 1999 Mr Stevens held a number of senior roles at Bankers Trust. Mr Stevens was a Partner of Bankers Trust Company, where he headed the Bankers Trust commodity businesses globally (ex energy). In addition Mr Stevens was responsible for the derivatives risk management business at Bankers Trust Australia.
Mr. Stevens was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Finance in 1986 from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia.
Brian Benari - Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer
Brian Benari is responsible for the Group's operational areas, which includes finance, legal, tax, compliance, information technology and corporate affairs functions.
Mr Benari joined Challenger in 2003 and prior to taking on this role in November 2008, Mr Benari was Chief Executive of Challenger Mortgage Management, establishing the division with the acquisition of Interstar Securities, one of Australia's largest mortgage lenders. Under Mr Benari's leadership the division expanded to include residential and commercial mortgage lending arms as well as owning or having material interests in three of the four largest mortgage broker platform operations in Australia. Mr Benari, a Chartered Accountant, was with Zurich Capital Markets Asia in the role of Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer and has also held senior executive roles with Macquarie Bank and Bankers Trust .
Richard Howes - Chief Executive, Life
In November 2008 Richard Howes was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Life, with overall executive responsibility for the management of Challenger's APRA regulated Life Company. Prior to this appointment Mr Howes held dual roles at Challenger, firstly as the Principal Executive Officer - Balance Sheet, and secondly as Head of Debt Investments, responsible for the creation and management of specialised funds within the areas of fixed income, structured credit, hedge funds and other alternative investment asset classes.
Mr Howes joined Challenger in June 2003 from Zurich Capital Markets where he was responsible for the derivatives franchise that provided risk management solutions to major companies and institutions globally. Prior to that time, Mr Howes was co-head of Agricultural Commodities at Macquarie Bank in Chicago where he was responsible for staff in Chicago, New York, London, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Sydney. Mr Howes also spent six years at Bankers Trust within the financial markets group in financial and commodity derivatives.
Robert Woods - Joint Chief Executive, Funds Management
Rob Woods joined Challenger in November 2003 and was appointed to his current role in November 2008. Previously Mr Woods was the Chief Executive of Challenger's Life Company and Specialised Funds. In this role he was responsible for managing over $10 billion of assets, in the Infrastructure, Real Estate and Credit asset classes. Prior to joining Challenger, Mr Woods held senior roles at Zurich Capital Markets and Bankers Trust.
Rob Adams - Joint Chief Executive, Funds Management
Rob Adams has more than 20 years' experience in the funds management and broader financial services industry in both Australia and overseas. Prior to joining Challenger in July 2003, Mr Adams was Chief Executive Officer of First State Investments, the UK-based global asset management operation of Colonial First State Investments and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. From 1992 to 2000 Mr Adams held various senior roles at Colonial First State Investments and was responsible for all distribution and marketing operations of the business.
Paul Rogan - Executive General Manager Capital Risk and Strategy
Paul Rogan joined Challenger in November 2005 and was appointed to his current role in November 2008. Mr Rogan is responsible for Group mergers and acquisitions, strategy, treasury, credit and market risk functions. Prior to taking on his current role, Mr Rogan was Challenger's Chief Financial Officer. Mr Rogan has over 20 years' experience in financial services both in Australia and overseas, including Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer roles with the National Australia Bank and Lend Lease.
Jennifer Wheatley - Executive General Manager Human Resources
Jennifer Wheatley joined Challenger in October 2002. Prior to this Ms Wheatley was Human Resources Manager at Mistearl Northshore the largest franchisee of Shell Service Stations in Australia. Ms Wheatley has provided HR consultancy services to numerous companies in Australia, including the Peugot Dealer Group, during its transfer to the Sime Darby Motor Group; Wattyl and the Oroton Group.
