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Wealth creator goes for a song

There have been many business figures around the place with secret passions outside of work.

Rio Tinto chief digger Sam Walsh collects antique milk jugs.

Suncorp boss Patrick Snowball swaps Queensland's balmy climes for an annual stint at London's Chelsea Flower Show.

Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry dedicates his spare time to preserving the endangered hairy-nosed wombat.

But if you're looking for the Renaissance man of the Australian corporate world, it's hard to go past NAB's group executive of wealth and incumbent MLC chief executive Andrew Hagger.

Back in the 1990s, Hagger was transferred to Kenya by employer PricewaterhouseCoopers and ended up playing international cricket for his adopted country. Against the might of Bermuda.

These days, when he's not worrying about the retirement incomes of several hundred thousand Australian families, Hagger spends his time tinkling the keys of a piano.

"As my friends I wanted to let you know that in my spare time I've rustled up an album coming out under ABC Music/Universal Records label next month called Moon Under Water," Hagger told his mates via email.

"It's an instrumental album with humble aims to be the sort of relaxing album you'd put on in the background when you have friends around for dinner."

And some friends Hagger has. Guest musicians on the album include guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel.

Hagger once also wrote a song that was recorded by Olivia Newton-John.

To launch the album, Hagger is performing a gig at Melbourne's Bennetts Lane jazz venue on November 20 - on a stage that has been graced by the likes of Prince, Justin Timberlake and Harry Connick jnr in recent years.

"All the way through to the likes of me!" Hagger quipped.

Off and racing

Spring racing is upon us and coveted invites from Emirates, Myer, Tabcorp and Lion have hit mailboxes across the country.

But the award for hitting the finish line first, with one of the fastest RSVP's in race history, goes to Sydney's own John Singleton.

Singo has accepted an invitation to the plush Emirates tent and will descend on the southern capital for Melbourne Cup day.

Singo, of course, has had a Gai old time at the track lately, but his hosts need not worry.

Singo is adamant that the infamous "Waterhousegate" - his feud with Gai Waterhouse from Australia's famous racing family - is done and dusted.

Prize fund

The ASX at Pyrmont - aka Star City - was abuzz on Thursday night as 500 or so gathered for the annual Australian Fund Manager of the Year Awards 2013.

Proving that when they say "don't quote me", they really don't mean it, was the "Human Headline" gong, won by the now No. 1 at Perpetual, Matt Williams.

Tim Monckton from Baillieu Holst presented Perennial Investment Partners with the award as best domestic fixed- interest outfit. Perpetual won the Australian Equities Large category.

Kick for sports

Moonee Ponds is hardly the epicentre of Australian retail, but Erez Morag, one-time Nike "game-changer and innovation expert" managed to drag an impressive line-up of sports industry movers and shakers to Melbourne's north-west.

Morag holds 25 patents and revolutionised football boots and sportswear while at Nike, working with the likes of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Roger Federer.

The event was staged by the Australian Sports Technologies Network and the Australian Sporting Goods Association.

On hand to listen to Morag were former Hawthorn FC and Melbourne Victory president Geoff Lord, Gemba boss Ben Crowe, and adidas Australia chief Greg Kerr.