American Century Names Dimensional Co-Founder APAC Head

Stewart, the co-founder of Dimensional Funds Advisors-Australia, has been appointed as the head of Asia-Pacific at American Century Investments, the company announced on Tuesday. Stewart will serve as a managing director and lead the firm’s expansion into the region while reporting to Eduardo Repetto, the chief investment officer of Avantis Investors.

Stewart brings over three decades of experience to the role. He co-founded Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Australian branch in 1994 and served as an executive director there for 31 years. American Century stated that Stewart’s appointment signals a firm commitment to growth in the Asia-Pacific market.

According to the report, Stewart will be tasked with meeting the increasing demand for investment solutions across the region. The company highlighted that Stewart’s focus on helping investors achieve better outcomes aligns with the firm’s broader strategy.

Avantis Investors, the firm’s subsidiary, currently manages three exchange-traded funds listed on the ASX. These include the Avantis Small Cap Value Active ETF, the Avantis Global Equity Active ETF, and the Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF.

Repetto praised Stewart’s leadership, noting that he is a “global visionary leader with a strong track record in the financial services sector.” He added that Stewart is well-suited to help the firm deliver the best results for clients and drive more positive change for investors.

It is worth noting that the firm’s approach to local expansion mirrors a broader trend in the asset management industry. As global firms seek to capture regional market share, establishing a local presence is often the most effective way to build trust and adapt to regional investment needs. This strategy allows fund managers to handle complex regulatory environments while keeping client service responsive and relevant.

Australian Equities Expansion

Repetto indicated that the firm is actively planning to expand its product lineup in Australia. Although Avantis is headquartered in the United States, it has established an office in Sydney to manage these new offerings locally.

Speaking to Money Management earlier this month, Repetto confirmed that the current ETFs have been well received by the market. He said the firm is now considering the launch of an Australian equities vehicle to meet adviser demand.

“We will probably launch more ETFs in Australia, such as Australian equities, that’s a big ‘yes’ from us and is something that advisers have been asking for,” Repetto said. “We can manage it from Australia to meet adviser needs.”

The management emphasized that they must give investors what they want. Consequently, an Australian equities fund is now part of the firm’s development plan.