Australian billionaire Nicola Forrest’s family office, Coaxial, has made significant strides by appointing two high-profile executives from the financial sector. The firm, established in 2023 following Forrest’s separation from Fortescue Metals founder Andrew Forrest, has welcomed Richard Harris as Chief Investment Officer and Sameer Vij as Chief Financial Officer.
Richard Harris, previously the Chief Financial Officer and Risk Officer at Afterpay, is stepping into the role of Chief Investment Officer. Harris played a pivotal role in the company’s successful $25 million listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2016. Afterpay, known for its buy now, pay later services, was acquired by Square—founded by Jack Dorsey—in August 2021 for a staggering $39 billion. This appointment positions Harris at the forefront of investment opportunities as he navigates the interests of bankers eager to propose ideas to Forrest, whose net worth is estimated at $12.83 billion, bolstered by substantial holdings including 50 million shares in Fortescue.
Coaxial has also secured the expertise of former Brookfield dealmaker Sameer Vij as its Chief Financial Officer. Vij’s recent experience includes his role at Aveo, a retirement living business, where he served in the same capacity. Prior to that, he spent nearly seven years at Lendlease, culminating in his position as Group Director for Mergers and Acquisitions. During his tenure, he oversaw significant divestments to major investment firms such as Blackstone and APG Asset Management.
In a statement about the new appointments, Nicola Forrest noted, “Richard and Sameer are both highly commercial senior leaders, having proven their capabilities in numerous organisations. They share Coaxial’s commitment to bold thinking and long-term value creation.” She emphasized that their extensive experience will complement the leadership of Philippa Watson and will be instrumental in positioning Coaxial for impactful growth.
The strategic hires reflect Coaxial’s ambition to strengthen its investment framework and enhance its operational capabilities. With a focus on long-term value and innovative approaches, the firm aims to leverage the extensive experience of its new leadership team to navigate the competitive landscape of investment opportunities.
