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bullet NewslettersJul '09: Investment consulting conflictsInvestment consulting conflict considerations
 

Investment consulting conflict considerations

 
Potential conflicts of interest to consider:
  • Advice regarding services offered by related parties e.g. investment managers, custodians, transition managers
  • The way in which research resources and priorities are set and whether they are supportive of the nature of your fund (e.g. superannuation), your geography and your prospective investments
  • Strategic or significant relationships with investment managers via related services or in related businesses (e.g. platforms)
  • Fee structures including performance fees that may skew resources or opportunities to certain clients
  • Related parties offering competing services e.g. superannuation outsourcing solutions
  • Management of access to market sensitive information, including controls on personal trading
  • Internal investment management activities and protection of investment manager intellectual property
Some questions that should be considered where the consultant has a large client base, their clients are also shareholders or if they offer an internal multi-manager or implemented consulting service:
  • When an investment manager has limited capacity, how is this made available to clients?
  • If a special fee deal is offered for a foundation investor, which clients get to see this opportunity?
  • Is an investment manager with limited capacity researched?
  • How is the downgrading and exit from an investment manager managed when there are multiple client exposures?
In the news Minimize
 

Oct '13: How Christian Super makes an impact

Oct '13: Back to front (office) decision making - getting the negotiation "right"

Apr '13: Appointment to ASFA Economics & Investment Policy Council

Apr '13: Appointment to ASFA Investment Standing Advisory Panel

Apr '13: IO&C Shanghai: Front & middle office get involved in custody decisions: Negotiation strategy

Sep '12: ASI: Removing the barriers to investment innovation

Aug '12: Panel: Risk of obsession with peer risk

Mar '12: CMSF media: TAER counterproductive

Mar '12: CMSF 2012: Fees in the superannuation industry

Feb '12: Capability review for Australian equities manager

Jan '12: Industry fund custody review

Nov '11: Retail fund custody fee negotiation advice

Sep '11: Investment consulting market share information

Jun '11: Operational due diligence review for industry super fund

Jun '11: Investment strategy day facilitation for industry super fund

Jun '11: Capability review for unlisted property manager

Apr '11: Investment strategy day facilitation for industry super fund

Mar '11: Capability review for Australian equity manager

Mar '11: Investment manager capability review case study

Feb '11: Conference presentation: Fees in the super industry - A framework for transparency

Dec '10: Christian Super concludes consulting review

Jul '10: ESSSuper concludes consulting review

Jan '10: AvSuper concludes custodian review

Dec '09: I&T article - Transition management

Dec '09 AvSuper custodian review

Nov '09: I&T article: Fee the difference

Oct '09: Christian Super custodian review

Sep '09: Corporate fund custodian review

Sep '09: LGS concludes consulting review

Aug '09: Industry fund consulting review

Jul '09: AvSuper concludes consulting review

Apr '09: SuperFunds article: Transition Mgmt
 

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Example projects include:
  • Working with board and investment committees on investment beliefs, investment governance, investment models, investment policies, service provider appointments, competitive positioning, delegations and peer risks
  • Working with CEOs, CIOs and COOs on strategy, successor fund transfers, operating models, organisational design, as well as staff mentoring and training
  • Working with teams on investment and operational due diligence (internal and external), service provider management, project implementations, conflict identification and management, and team development
  • Reviews and advice relating to investment consultants, implemented consultants and custodians, along with related due diligence both domestically and internationally
  • Negotiation of arrangements with outsourced service providers including fees, service standards and agreements
  • Specialist work assisting investors reduce foreign exchange costs working closely with FX Transparency
 
 
Investment consulting reviews
 
Investment manager capability reviews

 

Click here for a case study...

 

 
Investment managers
(Australian & international shares, bonds, property) 
  • Target market
  • Product design
  • Pitch material
  • Mock reviews
  • Operational due diligence
  • Investment consulting market
  • After tax returns
  • Fees, including performance fees
 
 
Negotiation strategy & implementation
(fees, service standards, commercial terms, litigation)
  • Retail platform
  • Commercial multi-manager
  • Industry funds
  • Public sector funds
  • Corporate funds
  • Retail fund
  • Covering:
    • Custodians
    • Investment managers
    • Administrators
    • Investment consultants
Strategy off-site facilitation
  • Strategic review of investment positioning
  • Alignment of investment strategy and business (fund) strategy
  • Alignment of internal resources and expertise with areas of greatest impact
  • Alignment of external resources with investment strategy
  • Internal capability self assessment
  • Peer risk sensitivity analysis
 
Investment administration (custody) reviews
Operational due diligence reviews
  • Multi-managers
  • In-house investment managers
  • External investment managers
Industry superannuation fund

Strategic and operational advice to guide the establishment of common infrastructure to support multiple funds, tax structures & investment options:

  • Current operation, competitive landscape and regulatory environment
  • Strategic positioning
  • Investment governance
  • Member entitlements
  • Operating models
  • Custodian review and selection process
  • Asset consultant selection process
  • Unit pricing and taxation
  • Operational transition
Multi-manager and private equity fund

Strategic and operational advice:

  • Business model
  • Target market
  • Product design
  • Investment administration providers
  • Investment systems and infrastructure
  • Operational due diligence framework
  • Investment manager due diligence
  • After tax returns
  • Transition manager panel
Investment platform provider

Implementation efficiency review for an investment platform provider

  • Business model and governance
  • Investment menu
  • Investment manager relationship management
  • Operational implementation models
  • Fee and service re-negotiation
  • Product changes
  • Operational changes
Industry superannuation fund

Project managed the asset transition for a $200 million defined benefit to defined contribution conversion

  • Strategy determination
  • Detailed implementation planning
  • Implementation
  • Post implementation review
Specialist debt investment manager

Strategic and operational advice:

  • Business concept
  • Business model
  • Financial modelling
  • Equity raising
  • Product design
  • Fund raising
  • Target market
Multi-manager

Project manage a $1.5 billion asset transition for a multi-manager and retail investment platform

  • Appointment and termination of over 50 investment managers
  • Trading across multiple markets and asset classes
  • Implementation of new investment strategies
  • Launch of new investment trusts
New market entrant

Strategic advice for an international company considering acquisitions

  • Australian superannuation industry
  • Member administration
  • Key issues and trends
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