Marco Lo Blanco

Nanuk Asset Management (Nanuk), a specialist global equity manager, has appointed Marco Lo Blanco as Portfolio Manager and Mark Jordan as Senior Business Development Manager to support the firm’s continued growth and the increasing demand from financial advisers, not for profits and family offices for investment strategies aligned with the accelerating transformation of the global economy.

As industries respond to the increasing tension between economic growth and resource constraints, investors are seeking exposure to companies driving this transition. Nanuk’s investment approach focuses on generating strong investment returns from companies benefiting from the global trends towards greater digitalisation, electrification, efficiency, decarbonisation and sustainability, helping advisers position their clients’ portfolios for the structural shifts reshaping global markets.

Marco Lo Blanco brings 12 years of experience in global equities, having worked across Asian, European, and US markets. Previously, he was a portfolio manager and research analyst at London-based boutique asset manager Seilern Investment Management, where he co-managed the Seilern World Growth Fund, which peaked at USD 3 billion in assets under management (AUM). His expertise in global equities will help strengthen Nanuk’s investment capability.

Mark Jordan joins Nanuk with over 25 years of experience in financial services distribution, most recently as Head of Distribution at Prime Value Asset Management. He has held senior roles at Magellan Asset Management, Fidelity International, and Perpetual, where he played a key role in deepening relationships with financial advisers and investment consultants . Mark joins Melbourne based Senior Business Development Manager Matthew Kent and Business Development Manager Rory Irvine, and his appointment reinforces Nanuk’s focus on engaging with the adviser and investment research community.

These appointments further strengthen Nanuk’s experienced investment and distribution team, led by Chief Investment Officer Tom King and Head of Distribution Dan Powell.

Tom King, Chief Investment Officer at Nanuk, commented: “The global economy is undergoing significant and ongoing transformation as industries adapt to resource constraints, sustainability challenges, and technological change. Investors are increasingly recognising that capitalising on these shifts requires a forward-looking approach, and we are committed to helping advisers position their clients in line with these developments.”

He added: “We are seeing strong demand from advisers and family offices who want investment solutions that align with these global shifts—whether it’s artificial intelligence, electrification, or advances in resource efficiency. Our focus remains on delivering good investment outcomes through a pragmatic, research-driven fundamental approach.”

Recognising this demand, Nanuk launched the Nanuk New World Fund’s hedged unit class as an active ETF in October 2024, providing listed access to its currency-hedged strategy.

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John Lobb

Nanuk Asset Management (Nanuk), an industry leader in sustainable and responsible investing, this week announced the appointment of John Lobb as a Portfolio Manager. The appointment adds further resources to Nanuk’s experienced investment team which is focused on opportunities arising from the long term trends associated with environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

With over 32 years experience as an equities analyst and portfolio manager, Mr. Lobb brings a wealth of experience to Nanuk. Prior to joining Nanuk, he served as a Global Equities Portfolio Manager and Senior Analyst at Insync Funds Management. Previously, he has also held key investment positions at Orion Asset Management, Credit Suisse Global Asset Management, and Citigroup Global Asset Management.

Mr Lobb joins an experienced investment team at Nanuk which includes Chief Investment Officer, Tom King, London based Portfolio Manager Binya Even, along with Australian based Portfolio Managers Jane Henderson, Tristan Patience, Peter Wilmshurst and Marie Miyashiro.

Mr King commented, “We are delighted to have John joining our team. His focus on identifying quality, undervalued businesses benefitting from structural tailwinds is very well aligned with our approach. He is well known to us having previously worked with Tristan and Nanuk director Tim Ryan.”

“John’s experience will improve our capacity to research the expanding numbers of opportunities related to the emerging ‘sustainability revolution’ and his focus on quality and growth will complement the approaches of our existing team.”

“It is an exciting time for sustainably themed investment, with technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and the internet of things moving from infancy to maturity and new opportunities emerging in areas such as hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and artificial intelligence,” Mr King said.

Nanuk recognises that environmental challenges present both opportunities and risks for investments. The recent breaking of global temperature records, with average global temperature reaching 17C this month, surpassing the previous record of 16.9C set in August 2016, serves as a clear reminder of the likelihood of further government support for more sustainable technology as we move through this decade.

Dan Powell, Head of Distribution for Nanuk, commented, “Investor and financial adviser demand for sustainable investment continues to grow due to several key factors. Investor preferences, regulatory mandates, corporate pledges, increasing recognition that climate factors impact investment performance, and that significant change at a global level creates investment opportunities and risks which all contribute to this trend”.

Mr Lobb holds a Bachelor of Economics Majoring in Finance and Accounting from Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment through FINSIA.

Mr Lobb is based in Sydney and started with Nanuk on 17 July 2023.

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Dan Powell

The Nanuk New World Fund returned 4.9% in January, outperforming traditional global equity benchmarks such as the MSCI ACWI which rose by 4.2% (all returns quoted in AUD unless specifically stated otherwise).

Some points covered in the report:

• Which country recently announced a hugely ambitious target of 500GW of renewable generating capacity by 2030.  (Note: 1GW is the typical capacity of a large coal or nuclear fired power station).
• The CEO of the world’s leading offshore wind turbine manufacturer said the offshore wind sector was at a tipping point: 400 turbines expected to be built by the company in 2019 – more than the previous 8 years combined.
• California’s largest utility filed for bankruptcy protection: it had over US$70bn in assets at its last reporting date.
• Sectors expected to see strong growth in 2019.

Please follow this link for the latest Fund report (PDF).

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Stephen O’Brien

Industry veteran, Stephen O’Brien, has joined Nanuk Asset Management as Head of Institutional Sales. Mr O’Brien has had a long career in the institutional asset management market.

“Nanuk is delighted to access Stephen’s extensive experience and skill in institutional sales & distribution to assist the firm’s business development. While we have made strong inroads into the platform market, our institutional client aspirations can now be further developed,” said Eric Siegloff, CEO, Nanuk Asset Management.

Mr O’Brien comes to Nanuk after several years in the investor relations space, following many years as a senior executive with major firms in the institutional funds management area including Deutsche Asset Management (Australia), Tyndall (now Nikko Asset Management) and Schroders.

Stephen also works pro bono with charities focussed on sustainable education for children in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya.  “Over the past 10 years, more than 8,000 children from the Kibera slum have taken the chance to break free from poverty through education,” said Stephen.

Stephen’s appointment follows the appointment of Dan Powell, who heads up distribution focussed on the retail sector.

Nanuk is wholly focussed on investing in listed global companies and industries that contribute to or benefit from greater global environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, including clean energy, energy efficiency, waste management and pollution control.

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Dan Powell

The Nanuk New World Fund has been approved for the Macquarie Investment Manager/Consolidator and Macquarie Super Manager/Consolidator menus (25% trustee limit).

“Nanuk is delighted to have the New World Fund now available on the Macquarie platform.  It rounds out the broad reach for advisers across various channels including BT Wrap, Panorama, ASGARD, Pursuit, Netwealth, Hub24, OneVue and PowerWrap” said Dan Powell, Nanuk’s Head of Distribution.

Nanuk Asset Management is wholly focussed on investing in listed global companies whose activities are contributing to or benefiting from the broad themes of environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

Performance of the Nanuk New World Fund is strong compared with global equity benchmarks and peers since Fund inception, returning more than 20% per annum in the past two years.

Nanuk believes that its investment strategy is well placed to continue to outperform traditional benchmarks as the “sustainability revolution” continues to unfold in coming years and decades.  The Fund is invested in a broad range of sustainability and efficiency related industries and technologies, including solar energy, residential and grid-scale battery technology, robotics and artificial intelligence.

“The Fund provides a solution for clients and financial advisers seeking access to the ‘sustainability revolution’ as well those seeking socially responsible or ethical solutions”, said Mr Powell.

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Dan Powell

With a vision of becoming the leading service provider for non-aligned Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL) partners in Australia, Actuate Alliance Services has rebranded to SFG Alliance Services.

Dan Powell, Head of SFG Alliance Services, said the rebrand is in line with SFG Australia Limited’s aim to consolidate its brands in the financial services market place. “Sharpened branding will make SFG Alliance Services, which provides key support and expertise for boutique AFSL businesses that wish to retain control of and be responsible for managing their own licence, more recognisable to those businesses,” Mr Powell said.

SFG Alliance Services is focused on supporting boutique AFSLs seeking best advice and best practice outcomes, so that practice principals and advisers can deliver on their promise to clients and focus on new business.  “That’s what makes us so different in today’s marketplace,” Mr Powell said.

The rebranding coincides with the introduction of SFG Alliance Service’s adviserHQ website.  adviserHQ allows AFSLs and advisers to access the support of SFG anywhere, any time. “adviserHQ offers online 24/7 access to licensee support, advice documents, research, product and platform solutions, technical services, practice management, succession planning, marketing and sales,” Mr Powell said. “This service is invaluable to AFSLs in leveraging infrastructure, resources and expertise of SFG in their own businesses.”

In the six months since launch, SFG Alliance Services has already attracted 12 AFSL partners. “To help service the needs of these partners, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Quak, who takes on a practice business development role,” Mr Powell said.

Mr Quak will be responsible for working with self-licensed advice businesses to identify and implement the best practice and best advice processes of SFG. “Eric brings with him a deep understanding of financial planning businesses with previous experience gained in investment management, platform solutions and strategic advice,” Mr Powell said.

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Dan Powell

Despite ever-changing regulatory environments, Australians will always need financial advice and the future for Australian Financial Services Licensees (AFSLs) that are moving with the times is therefore bright, according to Dan Powell, Head of Actuate Alliance Services.

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