Appian appoints senior advisor, Australia

Appian Capital Advisory, investment advisor to private equity funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies, announced Wednesday the appointment of John Van Der Wielen as Senior Advisor, Australia, based in Perth.

Van Der Wielen will work with Appian’s senior leadership team, advising on transactions, corporate strategy and post-acquisition integration in Australia and internationally, supporting the business with all aspects of acquisitions and divestments.  

As a senior financial services professional, Van Der Wielen has over 30 years’ international experience in wealth management, private banking, investments, and insurance, in the UK, Luxembourg, Malaysia, and Australia.

He has held executive positions within several global financial services groups, with his expertise including overseeing and chairing large funds management and investment committees, as well as leading on acquisitions, integration and restructuring programs.

Van Der Wielen is currently Chair, Crown Perth and a Non-Executive Director of Blackstone-owned Crown Resorts Australia. He has held executive positions including CEO (UK & International) of Friends Life UK, CEO of HBF Health, Managing Director (Wealth) of ANZ and CEO of Clerical Medical, Halifax Life & Heidelberger Leben.

Throughout his career, Van Der Wielen has held an extensive portfolio of advisory and senior non-executive positions, which have included roles as Senior Adviser to Blackstone, Chairperson Kyckr, Non-Executive Director of Partners Life, Senior Advisor to Blackstone, Non-Executive Director of Friends Provident International and Non-Executive Director of Lombard International Assurance.

He currently serves on the Board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and was appointed by the Western Australian Government to Chair its Future Health Research and Innovation Fund.

Van Der Wielen holds an MBA from the University of Western Australia, has studied at London Business School and Oxford University, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“I’m delighted to welcome John to the Appian team where his strong experience in Australia will play an important part in our growth plans in the country,” Appian CEO Michael W. Scherb said in a statement.

“He brings significant expertise in M&A and corporate strategy from some of the leading financial services companies globally, which will be invaluable for our next phase of development,” Scherb said. “His appointment follows a number of recent hires, as we continue to build out our senior team and remain well placed to take advantage of opportunities in the mining sector.”