The leadership team at NovusQuo brings over a century of combined experience in global financial markets, with expertise spanning trading, sales, product structuring and investment management.
Leadership team
Leadership team
Leadership team
CEO
Simon Winston Smith
As our CEO, Simon leads NovusQuo’s day-to-day business and drives the delivery of our strategic priorities.
Simon brings deep experience in global markets, having led equities and derivatives businesses at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan across Japan and Australia. He’s also co-founded ventures in mortgage securitisation and corporate advisory. Simon holds degrees in Finance, Economics, and Japanese from the University of Queensland and is a CFA charterholder.
CEO
Simon Winston Smith
As our CEO, Simon leads NovusQuo’s day-to-day business and drives the delivery of our strategic priorities.
Simon brings deep experience in global markets, having led equities and derivatives businesses at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan across Japan and Australia. He’s also co-founded ventures in mortgage securitisation and corporate advisory. Simon holds degrees in Finance, Economics, and Japanese from the University of Queensland and is a CFA charterholder.
CEO
Simon Winston Smith
As our CEO, Simon leads NovusQuo’s day-to-day business and drives the delivery of our strategic priorities.
Simon brings deep experience in global markets, having led equities and derivatives businesses at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan across Japan and Australia. He’s also co-founded ventures in mortgage securitisation and corporate advisory. Simon holds degrees in Finance, Economics, and Japanese from the University of Queensland and is a CFA charterholder.
COO, Product, Marketing
Melenie Bruce
As COO and leader of Product and Marketing, Mel champions the vision for how our platform evolves—shaping products and strategy to meet where the market is going, not just where it is today.
Mel began her career at Westpac and RBC before spending a decade at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in Australia and Asia, where she was focused on product design and strategy for the region (excluding Japan). She then joined UBS in Asia, focusing on product strategy and structuring, and most recently led Product & Partnerships at Eastspring Investments, building products and third party solutions across all asset classes globally. Mel holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with merit) from the University of New South Wales.
COO, Product, Marketing
Melenie Bruce
As COO and leader of Product and Marketing, Mel champions the vision for how our platform evolves—shaping products and strategy to meet where the market is going, not just where it is today.
Mel began her career at Westpac and RBC before spending a decade at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in Australia and Asia, where she was focused on product design and strategy for the region (excluding Japan). She then joined UBS in Asia, focusing on product strategy and structuring, and most recently led Product & Partnerships at Eastspring Investments, building products and third party solutions across all asset classes globally. Mel holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with merit) from the University of New South Wales.
COO, Product, Marketing
Melenie Bruce
As COO and leader of Product and Marketing, Mel champions the vision for how our platform evolves—shaping products and strategy to meet where the market is going, not just where it is today.
Mel began her career at Westpac and RBC before spending a decade at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in Australia and Asia, where she was focused on product design and strategy for the region (excluding Japan). She then joined UBS in Asia, focusing on product strategy and structuring, and most recently led Product & Partnerships at Eastspring Investments, building products and third party solutions across all asset classes globally. Mel holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with merit) from the University of New South Wales.
Distribution
James Panaretos
James heads up Distribution at NovusQuo, building strong distribution partnerships and promoting our ETF solutions across the investment community.
James brings over 25 years of experience in financial and professional services, with a focus on strategic sales and business growth. With a strong technical background and a consultative approach, he’s known for building lasting client relationships and crafting tailored solutions. James has a wide-reaching network across the financial services sector in Australia and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from ANU, a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Sydney, and is a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Distribution
James Panaretos
James heads up Distribution at NovusQuo, building strong distribution partnerships and promoting our ETF solutions across the investment community.
James brings over 25 years of experience in financial and professional services, with a focus on strategic sales and business growth. With a strong technical background and a consultative approach, he’s known for building lasting client relationships and crafting tailored solutions. James has a wide-reaching network across the financial services sector in Australia and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from ANU, a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Sydney, and is a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Distribution
James Panaretos
James heads up Distribution at NovusQuo, building strong distribution partnerships and promoting our ETF solutions across the investment community.
James brings over 25 years of experience in financial and professional services, with a focus on strategic sales and business growth. With a strong technical background and a consultative approach, he’s known for building lasting client relationships and crafting tailored solutions. James has a wide-reaching network across the financial services sector in Australia and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from ANU, a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Sydney, and is a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
CFO, CRO
Erik Haggstrom
Erik is responsible for shaping NovusQuo’s financial and risk framework, ensuring strong foundations for sustainable growth.
Erik has over 25 years of experience in financial services, starting out at Price Waterhouse before spending 12 years at Morgan Stanley. Since then, he’s held senior roles—including CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Compliance—across a mix of global institutions and start-ups in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. He brings strong commercial instincts, a passion for governance, and a hands-on approach to building and scaling businesses, especially in early-stage environments. Erik holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce from ANU, is a Chartered Accountant, and has a Diploma in Financial Planning.
CFO, CRO
Erik Haggstrom
Erik is responsible for shaping NovusQuo’s financial and risk framework, ensuring strong foundations for sustainable growth.
Erik has over 25 years of experience in financial services, starting out at Price Waterhouse before spending 12 years at Morgan Stanley. Since then, he’s held senior roles—including CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Compliance—across a mix of global institutions and start-ups in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. He brings strong commercial instincts, a passion for governance, and a hands-on approach to building and scaling businesses, especially in early-stage environments. Erik holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce from ANU, is a Chartered Accountant, and has a Diploma in Financial Planning.
CFO, CRO
Erik Haggstrom
Erik is responsible for shaping NovusQuo’s financial and risk framework, ensuring strong foundations for sustainable growth.
Erik has over 25 years of experience in financial services, starting out at Price Waterhouse before spending 12 years at Morgan Stanley. Since then, he’s held senior roles—including CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Compliance—across a mix of global institutions and start-ups in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. He brings strong commercial instincts, a passion for governance, and a hands-on approach to building and scaling businesses, especially in early-stage environments. Erik holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce from ANU, is a Chartered Accountant, and has a Diploma in Financial Planning.
The power of asset management
and investment banking
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
Get in touch
Please get in touch for information or assistance in relation to NovusQuo ETFs.
True value lies in challenging the status quo to help solve tomorrow’s problems today.
NovusQuo is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 001313111) of Eminence Global Asset Management Pty Ltd (EGAM) (AFSL holder 305573). Where Novus Quo provides financial services, it does so as an authorised representative on behalf of EGAM.
This website and the information contained herein are intended solely for wholesale clients as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It is not intended for retail investors.
© NovousQuo • 2025
NovusQuo is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 001313111) of Eminence Global Asset Management Pty Ltd (EGAM) (AFSL holder 305573). Where Novus Quo provides financial services, it does so as an authorised representative on behalf of EGAM.
This website and the information contained herein are intended solely for wholesale clients as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It is not intended for retail investors.
NovusQuo is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 001313111) of Eminence Global Asset Management Pty Ltd (EGAM) (AFSL holder 305573). Where Novus Quo provides financial services, it does so as an authorised representative on behalf of EGAM.
This website and the information contained herein are intended solely for wholesale clients as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It is not intended for retail investors.
