AMP Capital Investors is merging its manager research team with that of ipac Investment Services as part of restructuring efforts that follow AMP's merger with AXA Asia-Pacific, local media reports show.

The creation of an integrated research division is in line with transitional efforts springing from the recently completed merger transaction with AMP which in October this year prompted a review of asset consulting services by multi-manager research teams. The new unit will have a total of 13 staff and shall retain Jeff Rogers, chief investment officer at ipac, as head of the ipac, AXA and Tynan Mackenzie portfolios. Sean Henaghan shall also stay as head of AMP Capital multi-manager portoflios. Ipac became part of AXA through a takeover in 2002. 

The new division will include three new people who have yet to be hired, said Rogers in an article by InvestorDaily, and will be split into two groups: a listed multi-manager arm and an alternatives arm. The first team will be led by Tanya Debakhapouve, currently a portfolio manager for AMP in Singapore, while the second group will be headed by Suzanne Tavill, currently the head of the illiquid alternative investment platform for AMP in Australia. 

"The creation of the integrated team will deepen the focus applied to the existing multi-manager portfolios and broaden the range of researched investment opportunities," Rogers was quoted as saying. "It is important to note that the changes do not impact on the way the AXA multi-manager portfolios will delivered."