BT Experts

Chris Caton
BT Chief Economist

Chris Caton joined BT Financial Group as the Chief Economist in 1999 after spending eight years as the Chief Economist at Bankers Trust.

Chris has more than 35 years industry experience and is the expert on advising on the implications of economic developments including major economic statistics, policy announcements and major political developments for financial markets. He is BT's senior industry commentator on economic matters and a highly sought after public speaker and commentator.

Between 1994 and 1997, he was Chairman of the Indicative Planning Council, which advised the Government on matters relating to the housing industry. He has also worked in the Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and for an economic consulting firm in the United States.

Chris was educated at the University of Adelaide and the University of Pennsylvania.

Melanie Evans
BT's Head of Super

Melanie Evans was appointed to BT's Head of Superannuation in December 2008. She is the expert on and responsible for Corporate Super, Retail Super, Retirement and BT Super for Life, including product, marketing and distribution.

Most recently, Melanie headed up BT's Personal Super business where she successfully spearheaded distribution of BT's innovative and award-winning online superannuation product, BT Super for Life. At BT, she has also worked in several senior roles including Director, Customer and Product for BT Direct, Head of Brand and Head of Group Marketing.

Melanie has extensive experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining BT in 2003, Melanie worked at Westpac where she held a number of roles in the retail bank and also spent several years at St.George Bank in a number of senior product management roles.

Patrick Farrell
Head of Advance Investment Solutions

Patrick was appointed Head of Advance Investment Solutions in December 2008 following the merger between BT Financial Group and the St.George bank wealth division. Patrick has more than 19 years experience in the investment industry managing direct institutional portfolios across a broad range of disciplines. He has extensive knowledge of multi-manager and tactical asset allocation portfolio management.

Prior to joining St.George in 2007 Patrick was Head of Multi-Manager and Tactical Asset Allocation at IAG Asset Management. This encompassed managing asset class exposures, direct hedge fund management, alpha transport strategies, multi-manager portfolio construction and major portfolio protection strategies. Patrick has also served on various Investment Committees and Superannuation Boards.

Felix Stephen
Manager, Strategy & Research, Advance Investment Solutions

Felix joined Investment Solutions in May 2004 with more than 30 years of extensive portfolio management and financial market experience. Felix is an industry veteran and has served on asset allocation, investment strategy and marketing committees at funds management institutions in Australia and overseas. He also acts as a consultant to the funds management industry in Australia.

Felix has developed and maintains a close relationship with a wide range of personalities in key financial institutions, monetary authorities, and government and non-government institutions around the world. He has authored and published many research papers on topical subjects in Australia and abroad.