Gourlay will be responsible for assessing the viability of, developing and launching new investment solutions.
He was previously chief executive officer of Idea Group, a fintech provider of business process improvement solutions to the pensions and alternative investments sectors.
His experience includes creating a global product division at Royal Bank of Canada, inventing an automated product management system, and worked in consulting roles with several firms in a variety of business sectors on best practice product strategy. Prior to this, he held senior global client facing roles at Swift, Deutsche Bank, State Street and Bankers Trust. He has also had extensive involvement in advisory roles on several financial industry boards.
Aon head of EMEA/APAC, investment Andy Cox says: “Our clients increasingly look to us for fresh ideas and solutions which can help steer them to where they need to be. Aon has huge resources worldwide but we have identified the need both to bring together our efforts in this area and to energise them to the best effect.
“Bill Gourlay brings considerable and varied experience to our global investment business. Innovation and development have been central themes in his financial services industry career so far, and so with his appointment we are making clear our determination to give direction and organisation to our future development. I am confident that our clients will soon see the benefit of our new approach and his leadership.”
Gourlay says: “With its Global Investment Solution Development Review process, Aon has specifically created a means of developing, evolving and improving solutions. Much of my career has been centred on this aspect of the financial industry, so I am looking forward to harnessing Aon’s global resources to the maximum effect.”
