Vanguard announces new executive

Vanguard announced that John James will join the $3.8 trillion firm’s senior leadership team as a Managing Director and Head of Human Resources, responsible for overseeing employment, employee relations, corporate training, compensation, and benefits.

James, 48, who currently leads Vanguard’s European business, will replace Kathleen Gubanich, 57, who will retire at year-end 2016 after a 30-year career with Vanguard. Gubanich joined Vanguard in 1986 and was appointed to the senior leadership team in 1995 to lead the HR function.

Vanguard, headquartered in Tredyffrin, is one of the world’s largest investment management companies.

Prior to joining Vanguard, James served as the CEO of Australian Football League team Port Adelaide for four years. In addition, James has more than 15 years of executive leadership experience with prominent Australian financial services companies, including as a senior leader at MLC, the wealth management division of the National Australia Bank.

He also was a director of the Financial Services Council in Australia from 2011-2015, holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. James joins Vanguard’s 12-person senior leadership team responsible for leading Vanguard and its global operations. He will report to Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb. -- To have your item published, send information to Business Editor Brian McCullough at bmccullough@dailylocal.com