Media releases Archives

Media Release: Lonsec appoints new Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director

Lonsec Holdings today announces the key strategic appointment of Nathan Lim as Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director, Lonsec Investment Solutions, Lonsec’s fast growing investments division.

Nathan joins from Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management Asia where he was Co-Head of Investment Management Services. While at Morgan Stanley, Nathan developed Morgan Stanley’s award winning multi-asset investment approach for both the Australian and Asia wealth management divisions. Nathan started his career in 1995 and has extensive experience in asset management, research and stockbroking that has taken him across Asia, North America, the Middle East and Australia. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Nathan managed Australian Ethical Investment’s International Shares Fund, where he developed a passion for responsible investing.

Commenting on the appointment, Lonsec CEO Mike Wright said “We are delighted that Nathan is joining Lonsec to lead the Investment Solutions business as he brings considerable international expertise in multi-asset strategies and a particular interest in responsible investing.

Nathan joins the business at an exciting time as we continue to grow our expanding managed accounts business. This includes renewing our commitment to partner with quality advice businesses to support them with tailored managed account solutions.”

Nathan echoes these sentiments, saying “I am excited to be joining Lonsec as I have long admired their reputation and commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals. I look forward to leading a great team of investment professionals and getting back to my responsible investing roots.”

As CIO, Nathan will join the Product and Investment Oversight Committee, Asset Allocation, Manager Selection, Direct Equities and Tailored Portfolio committees, which oversee the Lonsec Investment Solutions portfolios. These committees are a hallmark of the Lonsec portfolio management approach.

Deanne Baker has been appointed to the newly created position of Deputy CIO. Deanne will also continue in her role as Portfolio Manager Multi-Asset Portfolios, managing the multi-asset, retirement and sustainable portfolios. Deanne has been with Lonsec for 15 years, working across both Lonsec Research and Lonsec Investment Solutions. Deanne will be assisted by Eleanor Menniti who rejoins Lonsec as Associate Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Portfolios, after five years at BlackRock.

Deanne comments “I am excited to have Nathan join Lonsec as his shared values, investment experience and leadership qualities make him a great fit for our team. I am looking forward to working with him to continue delivering strong outcomes for our clients.

I am equally excited about the return of Eleanor Menniti to the team, bringing with her new skills and insights from a leading global fund manager.”

The Chairman of Lonsec’s Product and Investment Oversight Committee (PIOC), Dr Steve Garth, was also pleased with the new appointments, saying, “We are thrilled to have Nathan join the Lonsec team, and I look forward to working closely with him on the PIOC. We are also very grateful to Deanne Baker for her contribution as interim CIO and her contributions to the PIOC.”

Veronica Klaus will head up the newly named Tailored Solutions business as Head of Tailored Investment Solutions. Assisted by a team of Portfolio Managers, Veronica will lead Lonsec’s renewed focus into bespoke and tailored investment solutions for larger self-licenced Advice firms and large licensees. Veronica has been with Lonsec for 12 years.

Nathan will commence the position of Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director, Lonsec Investment Solutions in August 2023.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Naomi Christopher
Head of Marketing and PR
Naomi.Christopher@lonsec.com.au
0421 856 260

August 9, 2023/by Naomi Christopher

Media releases

Media Release: Lonsec appoints Executive Director, Adviser Sales and Service

Lonsec Holdings today announces the key strategic appointment of Marc Hraiki to the newly created position of Executive Director Adviser Sales and Service. The appointment follows the acquisition of Implemented Portfolios in August 2022 and subsequent restructure of the broader Lonsec team.

Marc’s career within the financial services industry spans over 23 years, leading sales teams for a number of the most prominent organisations in the sector such as IOOF and HUB24. His experience spans administration, product, advice and technology and he has managed significant client relationships for over 15 years. Marc has most recently managed key client relationships at global Investment manager, Franklin Templeton.

Lonsec CEO, Michael Wright, is delighted about the new hire, saying “Marc brings to our Sales and Service division considerable experience and expertise leading and building teams, as well as positioning them for exponential growth. He also brings substantial insight on the structure and drivers within our industry today.”

“Since the acquisition of Implemented Portfolios, our distribution team and our managed account offering have both expanded, and we are excited about Marc joining the business to help take them to the next level.”

Marc echoed these sentiments, saying, “I am thrilled about the prospect of joining Lonsec and being a part of a company with a strong reputation and exciting growth prospects. I see this as an opportunity to work alongside some exceptional people, many of whom I have had the pleasure of engaging with as business partners in previous roles.

“Considering the current landscape, it’s no surprise that we are seeing Advisers increasingly seek greater efficiency in order to scale and grow their firms, and I am delighted to be joining a company that can provide the tools to help them achieve this.”

“Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about doing interesting things and collaborating with talented individuals, and Lonsec presents an excellent opportunity to continue this trend and, contribute to a thriving company.”

Marc will commence the position of Executive Director Adviser Sales and Service at Lonsec in May 2023.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Naomi Christopher
Head of Marketing and PR
Naomi.Christopher@lonsec.com.au
0421 856 260

April 20, 2023/by Naomi Christopher

Media Release: Lonsec launches Listed Managed Portfolios within IPL’s IMA service

Lonsec Holdings has today announced the integration of its Lonsec Investment Solutions (LIS) and Implemented Portfolios (IPL) managed account solutions to offer advisers and their clients a broader suite of investment options – with Lonsec’s Listed Managed Portfolios now made available via IPL’s Individually Managed Account (IMA) service.

Advisers and investors using the Lonsec Listed Managed Portfolios via IPL will benefit from similar inclusions of IPL’s regular IMA service, including:

easy to adopt model portfolios, implemented and managed in collaboration with the adviser by IPL’s trusted and experienced portfolio implementation managers,
the ability to tailor investments according to individual client preferences, and
regular, adviser branded economic and investment commentary written and sent to clients

Speaking of the new offering, CIO of Lonsec Investment Solutions, Lukasz De Pourbaix said, “All of Lonsec’s managed portfolios combine our extensive expertise in portfolio construction, asset allocation and investment selection with our best ideas to offer portfolios that meet the needs of a broad range of investors.”

“Our Listed Managed Portfolios draws on Lonsec Research’s in-depth investment product research, and only invests in listed structures, such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), that are rated ‘Recommended’ and higher.”

“Offering these portfolios via the IPL IMA service will now allow advisers and their clients the flexibility and individual tailoring that the IMA investment vehicle provides.”

IPL was acquired by Lonsec Holdings in August 2022 as part of a strategic aim to enhance the investment opportunities available to investors and further enable the company to meet the changing needs of advisers. CEO of Lonsec and Managing Director of IPL, Michael Wright said, “We are delighted to be integrating both of these best-in-class solutions, and in doing so, offering advisers and their clients, access to more choice and individualisation when selecting appropriate investment options.”

The integrated solution is being offered via the Netwealth platform and has gone live as of today (21 March 2023).

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Naomi Christopher
Head of Marketing and PR
Naomi.Christopher@lonsec.com.au
0421 856 260

March 20, 2023/by Naomi Christopher

Media releases

Media Release: Lonsec appointed lead research partner for InterPrac Financial Planning

Lonsec Holdings has today announced its partnership with InterPrac Financial Planning. Lonsec has been appointed the mandated research provider for InterPrac and has commenced a bespoke onboarding program for all advisers across the InterPrac dealer group. InterPrac advisers join over 4000 financial professionals in Australia using iRate®, Lonsec’s market leading research portal.

iRate® is Lonsec’s award-winning investment research portal, providing financial professionals with access to their range of financial product research, ratings and analytical tools. iRate® is powered by one of Australia’s largest investment research and consulting teams and helps to deliver investment research needs in the one portal. In addition to providing managed fund and super fund research, iRate® also offers portfolio construction and comparison tools that can help advisers streamline their processes and meet their best interest duty and compliance obligations.

Garry Crole, InterPrac Financial Planning Managing Director, comments ‘In our evolving industry, one of our key priorities is working with a research house that has an extensive range of investment and advice solutions. Partnering with Lonsec will help broaden and strengthen the investment research capabilities for all our advisers.’

Lonsec CEO Michael Wright says, ‘In our increasingly compliant-heavy environment, it is more important than ever for licensees to provide efficient and reliable research tools to their advisers.’

‘Qualitative research is at the heart of what we do at Lonsec and we have built iRate® to support the research needs of all Australian advisers. We are delighted to come on board as InterPrac’s new research partner across their entire dealer group and in doing so, assist all of their advisers to have more informed and insightful conversations with their clients.’

In addition to iRate®, Lonsec also supports the evolving needs of licensees and advisers through its investment consulting, tailored portfolios, managed accounts and its dedicated transition consultants who assist practices across the country in transforming their businesses.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Naomi Christopher
Head of Marketing and PR
Naomi.Christopher@lonsec.com.au
0421 856 260

March 16, 2023/by Naomi Christopher

Managed Accounts, Media releases

Media release: Lonsec announces key executive appointments

Lonsec Holdings today announces key strategic appointments following the acquisition of Implemented Portfolios Limited in August 2022. Bruce Hawkins joins in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, Naomi Christopher is appointed a Head of Marketing and PR across the Lonsec Group and Steve Garth is appointed as Lonsec Product Investment Oversight Committee Chair.

Bruce has over 30 years’ experience in financial services with an extensive track record across investment platforms, superannuation and life insurance. Bruce has held a number of senior positions spanning finance, operations and strategic development with companies including NAB Wealth, Aviva Australia and Xplore Wealth Limited. Prior to joining Lonsec, Bruce was Group Executive – Xplore Wealth at HUB24 Limited leading the Xplore business whilst assisting in its integration into the broader HUB24 business.

Naomi Christopher was most recently National Manager – Marketing and Communications at Implemented Portfolios (IPL) and joined Lonsec Holdings following the acquisition of IPL. Her career in financial services spans 13 years, where she has worked in similar marketing and communications related roles at other financial services businesses such as Midwinter Financial Services (a Bravura owned company) and SQM Research, the funds research and ratings house.

Lonsec CEO and Managing Director of IPL, Mike Wright says “Over the past six months, both the Lonsec and IPL teams have worked tirelessly to understand each business and client groups. I am excited about the growth plans we have for the coming year and the integration of our services to all clients. Bruce has led this integration project and I am delighted that he is joining in a permanent capacity.”

“I am equally delighted that Naomi is taking on the broader Head of Marketing and PR role across the group as she built IPL’s formidable marketing presence” continues Mike.

As part of the integration of the businesses, key Lonsec portfolio managers have been appointed to the IPL Asset Allocation and Investment Committee (AAIC), which is responsible for the investment decisions relating to the IPL portfolios. Lukasz de Pourbaix joined long-standing independent members of the committee post the acquisition of the business by Lonsec in 2022 and will be joined by Nick Field, Associate Portfolio Manager for Lonsec’s listed suite of portfolios. Nick has extensive portfolio management and investment research experience having held various investment research and portfolio management roles for the past 20 years. Nick will provide additional insights and rigour to the AAIC governance process.

Finally, Lonsec has also bolstered its internal portfolio governance framework with the establishment of a group Product Investment Oversight Committee (PIOC). The PIOC is a sub board committee to the Lonsec Board and is responsible for ensuring that the IPL and Lonsec portfolios have the necessary personnel, processes and risk management frameworks in place. Lonsec has appointed Dr Steve Garth as independent chair of the PIOC. Dr Garth brings to the PIOC two decades of experience in key Financial Services roles, including a broad career managing Australian and Global portfolios.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Nicci Chaplin
Senior Communications Manager
nicci.chaplin@lonsec.com.au
0402 317 746

February 7, 2023/by Nicci Chaplin

Managed Accounts, Media releases

Lonsec shows continued commitment to helping advisers

Lonsec continues to drive investment efficiencies for advisers by expanding its support of Managed Accounts on the Netwealth platform. Lonsec has added to Netwealth’s Global Specialist Series (GSS) Managed Account range, by launching Lonsec GSS Index Plus.

The portfolios are built around core Netwealth GSS passive strategies, and a range of active satellite funds that leverage Lonsec’s extensive research capabilities and backed by its rigorous governance and review process.

‘These new managed portfolios give investors and financial advisers access to investment solutions supported by one of Australia’s largest investment consulting and research teams,’ said Lonsec CEO Mike Wright.

‘Being able to access our portfolio construction and investment selection expertise can help advisers and investors to make better investment decisions and we’re proud to partner with Netwealth to bring these portfolios to the market,’ continued Wright

Lonsec GSS Index Plus offers four portfolios: Moderate, Balanced, Growth and High Growth. Each is designed to achieve different risk and investment objectives over various timeframes. They are constructed using a range of growth and defensive assets such as Australian and global equities, property, fixed interest, and cash.

‘We were excited to develop this suite of portfolios with Netwealth as they offer a cost competitive solution for investors looking for a quality investment providing capital growth and income over the medium to long term. The portfolios also incorporate dynamic asset allocation and use a core/satellite approach to investment selection,’ said Lonsec CIO Lukasz de Pourbaix.

Matt Heine, Netwealth Joint Managing Director said ‘Lonsec bring a wealth of investment research and portfolio construction expertise to this partnership, and we are sure that these portfolios will prove popular with our advisers and investors.’

Lonsec is one of Australia’s fastest growing Managed Accounts portfolio managers, with monthly net inflows recently exceeding $250m. Lonsec also recently acquired the specialist Managed Discretionary Account provider, Implemented Portfolios Limited, who has a deep history and commitment to helping advisers meet the needs of their clients.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Rob Hardy
Rob.Hardy@lonsec.com.au

August 17, 2022/by Rob Hardy

Media releases

Media Release: Lonsec acquires Implemented Portfolios Limited and expands market reach

Lonsec Holdings (Lonsec) is an independent partner to the Wealth Management industry, providing preeminent products and services that are critical to key industry participants to enable them to serve their respective clients efficiently and effectively.

Lonsec’s mission is to “help clients make better investment decisions.” To achieve this, Lonsec continues to lead and evolve with the Wealth Management industry, consistently offering market leading, innovative products and services.

Lonsec is pleased to announce the acquisition of Implemented Portfolios Limited (IPL), a specialist Managed Discretionary Account (MDA) provider to High Net Wealth Individuals and affluent retail clients.

Advisers are increasingly recognising and valuing the substantial time savings and operational risk mitigation benefits of Managed Accounts, with the growing appeal of Managed Accounts predicated on their unique ability to holistically deliver on clients’ investment and service objectives.

Lonsec CEO, Mike Wright, said ‘Lonsec has a deep history and commitment to helping Advisers meet the needs of their clients via our market leading qualitative investment research and Managed Account solutions. I am excited to have IPL joining the Lonsec Group to further enable us to meet the changing needs of Advisers.’

The Australian Managed Account market, currently with Funds Under Management (FUM) of $131.2bn*, is fast growing, with a five year Compounding Annualised Growth Rate (CAGR) of close to 30% pa*. The acquisition of IPL will boost Lonsec’s FUM to over $5bn.

The acquisition of IPL expands our offer with complementary Managed Account solutions now available to Advisers, whether it be Separately Managed Accounts (SMA) or the adoption and deepening of MDA services. From a commercial perspective the acquisition of IPL further diversifies our business and will, positively impact Lonsec’s earnings and margins, before synergies are realised.

Mr Wright said ‘The acquisition will not distract from Lonsec’s core business activity of research and ratings via the key business units of Lonsec Research and SuperRatings. Lonsec is used for research and ratings by hundreds of Fund Managers, Super Funds, and thousands of Advisers every day’. Importantly, to maintain its independence, Lonsec reaffirms its commitment not to issue Retail Managed Funds.

‘Lonsec’s Investment Solutions business harnesses the depth and breadth of Lonsec’s extensive research when constructing portfolios. We look forward to sharing our intellectual capital with the IPL team to potentially leverage when constructing and managing client portfolios.

‘Similarly, we are excited to welcome, and learn from the experienced, professional IPL team, who I know will make a fantastic contribution to our overall business whilst they stay focussed on helping their highly valued IPL clients.’ concluded Mr Wright

Greg Kirk, Executive Chair of IPL, said ‘Since 2010, IPL has been changing the conversation about portfolio construction taking place within advice practices. We only see this expanding as part of the Lonsec Group.’

The businesses will be managed separately for the foreseeable future, with IPL becoming a fully owned subsidiary of Lonsec. To ensure continuity for clients and partners, all of IPL’s staff will remain within the Group. Greg Kirk will remain a Non-Executive Director of IPL, whilst Michael Wright becomes IPL’s new CEO.

*Source: IMAP FUM Census December 2021
+ Source: Investment Trends, January 2022 Managed Account Report

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Rob Hardy
Rob.Hardy@lonsec.com.au

July 21, 2022/by Rob Hardy

Media releases

Media Release: Latest data from Lonsec suggests the value rotation well underway

After a decade of low inflation, anaemic wages growth and falling bond yields, the perceived wisdom of markets had been that value stocks will continue to underperform compared to growth stocks. However, the latest data from research house Lonsec supports the view that value stocks are back in favour with investors and a value rotation is well underway.

As part of its most recent Australian equities sector review, Lonsec found that in the 12 months to 31 December 2021, 61% of value funds outperformed the S&P/ASX 300 TR Index, up from a mere 5% over the five years to the end of December 2021. This tilt towards value funds is most stark for the rolling year to 28 February 2022, which saw 91% of value funds outperform versus only 46% of Growth funds.

Lonsec Director of Research, Peter Green, said “We have seen a growing shift in the market over the past 12 months, but this has really picked up in the last three months with outperformance jumping from 61% to 91% of Value funds. While outperformance is unlikely to stay such a high level for a sustained period of time, market conditions do now favour value managers”.

The key drivers of this value rotation are the spectre of rising interest rates and a belief from investors that inflation is gaining momentum as the COVID economic recovery takes shape in an environment still impacted by supply chain disruption, tight labour markets and still loose monetary policy. Investors have increasingly been pricing in this eventuality, bidding down long earnings duration assets whose valuations are more interest rate sensitive and rotating into ‘value’ stocks like diversified miners and financials likely to benefit more from the macro environment.

Value vs Growth outperformance

Style	Outperformance 1 year to 28-Feb-22	Outperformance 1 year to 31-Dec-21	Outperformance 5 years to 31-Dec-21
Value	91%	61%	5%%
Growth	46%	67%	81%

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Rob Hardy
Rob.Hardy@lonsec.com.au

April 11, 2022/by Nicci Chaplin

Media releases

Media release: Lonsec continues to support the growth of Managed Accounts

Lonsec has expanded its support of Managed Accounts on the AMP North and CFS FirstWrap platforms with the launch of its Lonsec Listed Managed Portfolios.

The portfolios harness the depth and breadth of Australia’s leading research provider, allowing investors access to a diversified portfolio of listed securities incorporating Lonsec’s Dynamic Asset Allocation.

“These managed portfolios give financial advisers access to investment solutions supported by one of Australia’s largest investment research and consulting teams,” said Lonsec CEO Mike Wright.

“Being able to draw on our investment selection and portfolio construction expertise can be a game changer for advisers, and we’re proud to be offer the Listed portfolios to North and FirstWrap users.”

Lonsec provide three Listed portfolios: Balanced, Growth and High Growth. Each are designed to achieve different risk and investment objectives over various timeframes. They are constructed using a range of growth and defensive listed assets such as Australian and global equities, property, bonds, and alternative assets and are backed by Lonsec’s rigorous governance and review process.

“The Listed portfolios have been designed for investors looking for capital growth and income over the medium to long term from listed assets and use a combination of active and passive securities to achieve these growth and income objectives,” said Danial Moradi, Portfolio Manager for Listed Products.

In addition to the Listed portfolios, the Lonsec Separately Managed Account – Core Portfolio will also be available on FirstWrap. This portfolio employs an active, concentrated, low-turnover strategy focused on quality Australian large cap shares.

“We are excited to expand the distribution channels for these portfolios, making them available to a broader group of advisers and their clients” said Moradi.

Inclusion on AMP North and CFS FirstWrap further expands the availability of the Lonsec supported Managed Account offering, following their existing availability on the BT, Macquarie, HUB24, Netwealth and Praemium platforms. Lonsec is one of Australia’s fastest growing Managed Accounts portfolio managers, with over $200m net inflows recorded into the portfolios they manage in February 2022.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Rob Hardy
Rob.Hardy@lonsec.com.au

April 7, 2022/by Rob Hardy

Media releases

Media release: Lonsec Investment Solutions adds to team as Managed Accounts hit record inflows

Lonsec has announced three key hires to their Lonsec Investment Solutions (LIS) team to support the significant expansion of their managed account and consulting businesses.

Ron Mehmet, currently Head of Fixed Income Research at Lonsec Research will move to LIS as a Senior Consultant, to work with consulting clients and support Deanne Baker, Multi Asset Portfolio Manager, with portfolio management. Ron brings a wealth of fixed interest experience and broader portfolio construction skills which will add immensely to LIS’s capabilities.

Nicolas Ward is also joining LIS as a Senior Consultant. Nick joins from Quilla, the specialist managed portfolio manager, and brings a strong understanding of managed accounts, having worked closely with advisory firms in running bespoke managed account solutions. Prior to Quilla, Nick worked as NAB/MLC’s Private Investment Consulting (PIC) division, providing consulting services to the NAB aligned adviser network.

Amber Sunil will be joining LIS from Lonsec Research as an Investment Consultant. Amber will work closely with LIS Senior Consultants to service clients, as well as supporting the client reporting and managed account operational functions. Amber has a depth of product knowledge notably within global equities, which will be valuable to LIS’s portfolio construction process.

These three appointments bolster LIS’s managed accounts capabilities, which has seen significant expansion over the past six months. Inflows hit a record, exceeding $200m in February and bespoke managed portfolios have recently launched with CFS and Count. The LIS appointments follow the recent expansion of the Sales Team with dedicated Practice Transformation consultants.

CIO and Executive Director, Lukasz de Pourbaix, says “I am pleased to welcome Ron, Nicolas and Amber to the LIS team, and it is testament to the high quality individuals within the broader Lonsec group that two of the three candidates have come from Lonsec Research”.

Release ends

For more information, please contact:

Rob Hardy
Rob.Hardy@lonsec.com.au

March 10, 2022/by Rob Hardy