Russell Investments has announced twenty new specialist roles and a range of expanded services to strengthen its Australian business as markets being to shape up following the global financial crisis.

Firstly, Steve Schubert, director of actuarial and benefits consulting, has been appointed managing director of superannuation. Mr Schubert, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry, previously held a key role in retirement incomes strategy and superannuation outsourcing at Russell. He replaces Linda Elkins, who has resigned to pursue other interests.

Geoff Peck, previously the director of superannuation, is the new managing director of government and institutions. In his new role, he will be responsible for enhancing services for the firm's industry fund partners and will engage with a number of emerging client bases, such as financial outsourcing, charities, and family offices, to provide investment advise.

Expansionary changes have also been made to several of the firm's core services to help clients fully maximise growth opportunities in various markets.

Six new roles have been added to the investment consulting unit; the ETFs department has established a new Australian specialist team; the investments unit relocated Marty Lam from Singapore to become director for Asia Pacific real estate investments and boost its global property arm; the implementation services division made a new transition management hire; while the retail arm introduced five new roles to answer the growing demand for services from self-managed super funds segments.

"The changes we are announcing today mark an important new phase for Russell’s business in the local market. Against the backdrop of a changed global financial services and investing landscape, our growing team of specialists is focused on developing innovative solutions, revisiting and redefining old models, seeking new and exciting investment opportunities and finding better ways to serve customers," Chris Corneil, the managing director for Russell Investments in Australia and New Zealand, said in a statement.

"Although our clients are diverse, they all share a common characteristic. They are looking for a long-term relationship with a trustworthy partner who offers industry-leading thinking and solutions, not just products," he added.

The changes come shortly after the company won a major master trust mandate from OneSteel, which has decided to outsource its A$1.1 billion corporate super fund to Russell SuperSolution Master Trust, as previously reported by WealthBriefingAsia.