The Australia-headquartered firm said that De Luca, who has extensive financial services experience, has agreed to fill the role on an interim basis while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
Ohanession joined Praemium as chief executive in August 2011. His contract was terminated on 22 February, after the board decided that a chief executive with a different skillset would better service the company’s leadership for the next phase of its growth.
De Luca will be paid a consulting fee of A$10,000 (£6,172, $7,595, €7,146) per week. No fixed term has been agreed and he will not be entitled to any other benefits.
Strong applicant
Praemium chairman Greg Camm said: “Robert De Luca is a senior Australian financial services executive with a very strong leadership and business management track record, and direct experience in our sector of financial services.
“Praemium will be a clear beneficiary of his experience and capability. In addition, this appointment will enable us to conduct a full search and selection process for a permanent CEO with the comfort of knowing that the day to day running of the business is in very good hands.”
Camm added: “Robert will be a strong candidate for the permanent role, should he elect to participate in the process.”
A new chief executive is expected to be appointed in the next few months.
Curriculum Vitae
De Luca has spent 20 years working in the financial services sector in Australia and New Zealand. He started his career at National Australia Bank in 1997, before joining the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) in 2000.
He was appointed managing director of Bankwest in 2012, having held executive general manager roles in retail and business banking and corporate financial services at CBA. De Luca was also head of ASB Group Investments for CBA (New Zealand) responsible for wrap platforms, managing funds product management and distribution and business processing provision for managed funds.
