We are focused on the ultimate beneficiaries, the individuals to whom the funds ultimately belong. We engage with company directors and management and make investment decisions with this focus in mind.

Steven Fahey
Lead Analyst / Investment Manager

Our Team

Organisational structure

Balanced Equity Management deliberately separates the research team (consisting of Lead Analysts / Investment Managers and Equities Analysts) from dealing and operations, in order to allow the research team to focus fully on in-house research. One key aspect that differentiates the firm from its competitors is the dual role of the Lead Analyst and Investment Manager, where the emphasis is on being the Lead Analyst first and the Investment Manager second. The Lead Analysts / Investment Managers are supported by a strong team of Equities Analysts with specialist sector coverage.

Staff profiles

ANDREW SISSON B.Sc, SA Fin, FAICD
Managing Director
Financials – Lead Analyst / Investment Manager

Andrew established Balanced Equity Management in 1988 and is currently the Lead Analyst / Investment Manager of the Financials portfolio with 37 years investment management experience. He is also currently a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel, member of the Supreme Court of Victoria – Investments Review Panel to Senior Master (Funds in Court), trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria, and member of the Save the Children Australia Board.

Prior to establishing Balanced Equity Management, Andrew worked at National Mutual Life Association of Australasia as a Portfolio Manager, progressing through various roles. Andrew also completed a secondment to the UK with merchant bank Samuel Montagu as a Corporate Finance Manager.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics & Statistics) from The University of Melbourne, is a Senior Associate (SA Fin) of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).

STEVEN FAHEY B.Ec, F Fin
Deputy Managing Director
General Industrials – Lead Analyst / Investment Manager

Steven joined Balanced Equity Management in 1991 and is currently the Lead Analyst / Investment Manager of the General Industrials portfolio with 26 years investment management experience. Prior to his current role, Steven worked at National Mutual Life Association of Australasia as an Equities Analyst and as an Equities Strategist in Australia and the UK.

Steven holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, Diploma of Financial Markets from The Securities Institute of Australia and is a Fellow (F Fin) of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA).

ANDREW McGANN B.Eng(Hons), MBA, A Fin Resources & Infrastructure – Lead Analyst / Investment Manager Andrew joined Balanced Equity Management in 2002 and is currently the Lead Analyst / Investment Manager of the Resources & Infrastructure portfolio with 19 years finance industry experience. Prior to his current role, Andrew worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Director in Corporate Finance, Daiwa as a Senior Resources Analyst, and Merrill Lynch as a Senior Energy Analyst. Prior to completing his Master of Business Administration, Andrew worked for 4 years as a Chemical Engineer in Australia. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) from The University of Queensland, a Master of Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School and is an Associate (A Fin) of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA).

STEVE UNDERWOOD B.Sc, FIA, FIAA Financials – Equities Analyst Steve joined Balanced Equity Management in 2005 and is currently an Equities Analyst of the Financials portfolio. Prior to his current role, Steve gained 9 years actuarial experience working in Australia and the UK. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) from The University of St Andrews, is a Fellow (FIA) of The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK) and is a Fellow (FIAA) of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

DANIEL LUTH B.Comm(Hons), F Fin General Industrials – Equities Analyst Daniel joined Balanced Equity Management in 2001 and is currently an Equities Analyst of the General Industrials portfolio. Prior to his current role, Daniel gained 3 years property consulting experience and 2 years financial modelling experience working in Australia and the UK. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from The University of Melbourne, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from The Securities Institute of Australia and is a Fellow (F Fin) of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA).

JOSEPH LIVERMORE BA, B.Sc, CA General Industrials – Equities Analyst Joseph joined Balanced Equity Management in 2008 and is currently an Equities Analyst of the General Industrials portfolio. Prior to his current role, Joseph gained 3 years external audit experience and 4 years corporate finance and financial modelling experience working in Australia and the UK. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from The University of Sheffield, Bachelor of Science (Mathematics & Computers) from Open University (UK) and is a Chartered Accountant (ICAS).

JAMES MACKNAMARA B.Comm, B.Eng(Hons) Resources & Infrastructure – Equities Analyst James joined Balanced Equity Management in 2006 and is currently an Equities Analyst of the Resources & Infrastructure portfolio. Prior to his current role, James gained 5 years credit analysis experience working in Australia. James holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) from The University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance from The Securities Institute of Australia.

JAMIE BRUNTON B.Comm Dealer Jamie joined Balanced Equity Management in 2003 as the Dealer. Prior to his current role, Jamie gained 1 year investment accounting experience and 4 years investment management dealing experience working in Australia. Jamie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University and successfully completed the Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) program.

NÓIRÍN McKEON B.Comm, FCA Chief Operations Officer Nóirín joined Balanced Equity Management in 2010 as Chief Operations Officer. Nóirín has 8 years external audit and business advisory experience, 6 years compliance experience, and 8 years operations management experience in Ireland and Australia. Nóirín holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post-graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)

JUSTIN LEVI Equities Analyst Justin Levi joined Balanced Equity Management (BEM) in 2011 as an equities analyst covering media, gaming and healthcare. Prior to this Mr. Levi was employed at Wingate Group as an investment analyst in Melbourne and previously gained domestic and international experience working at Babcock and Brown in their Principal Investment Group. Mr. Levi holds a Bachelor of Commerce (honours in actuarial studies) from the University of Melbourne and has been admitted as an Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (AIAA).

GARETH D'CUNHA Equities Analyst Gareth D'Cunha joined Balanced Equity Management in 2011 as an equities analyst covering smaller financial stocks and regulated utilities. Prior to this role Gareth worked at Credit Suisse as an Investment Banking Analyst for approximately three years. Gareth is a graduate from the University of Melbourne with two degrees Bachelor of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (major in finance and economics).

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