Simon Conn
IML, specialist Australian Equities Fund Manager, has announced that Simon Conn, Senior Portfolio Manager for its small–mid cap strategies, will retire in June after 27 years of service.
Simon Conn joined IML in 1998 as one of the founding members of IML’s investment team and has led the small and mid-cap portfolios for 25 years. He will retire at the end of June 2025, remaining as a consultant until the end of September 2025.
IML CEO Damon Hambly said, “Simon’s dedication and expertise has been an asset to IML, the team, and our valued clients for 27 years, and it’s with gratitude that we sincerely wish him a happy retirement. Simon’s leadership of the team, and our considered approach to succession planning ensures that our portfolios will continue to be managed in the same disciplined manner that we applied since inception, focusing on quality companies trading at reasonable valuations”.
IML portfolio manager Marc Whittaker will assume leadership of the small and mid-cap team from the end of June after jointly managing IML’s small–mid cap portfolios with Simon for eight years. Marc will be supported by Australian Smaller Companies co-portfolio manager Lucas Goode who joined IML in 2018, and the broader IML investment team.
Senior Portfolio Manager Simon Conn said, “It’s with great confidence that I retire, leaving the small and mid-cap portfolios in the very capable hands of Marc and Lucas. My decision was made with much consideration after what has been a very fulfilling career at IML. Clients can rest assured that I believe that there’s no better time to pass on the baton. The team have demonstrated their ability to manage the funds in line with IML’s disciplined investment approach over several years.”
Marc Whittaker, who joined IML in 2016 and currently co-manages the Future Leaders and Private Portfolio funds said, “I’m grateful to Simon for his mentorship over the years, instilling the IML ‘quality and value’ approach into everything we do for our clients. It’s been an honour to work alongside Simon, and I’m thrilled to step into this new role, leading the IML small and mid-cap team.”
Prior to IML, Marc spent 6 years as a portfolio manager at Milford Asset Management and has been working in Australian equities since 1999.
IML’s flagship small cap fund, the Investors Mutual Australian Smaller Companies Fund, has delivered above-benchmark returns while delivering less volatility than the small cap market since its inception in June 1998.