In a year marked by extraordinary market volatility and global uncertainty, this year’s winners are particularly special. They represent the very best of Australia’s alternative investment funds and asset management industry—demonstrating resilience, innovation, and exceptional leadership through challenging conditions. Their recognition in 2025 highlights not only strong performance, but also the ability to adapt with agility and deliver value when it matters most.

On the night, we also celebrated two of the industry’s most prestigious honours: the Contribution to the Industry Award which went to the very deserving Dominic McCormick – A pioneer in conducting research into alternative investment managers and strategies since the inception of the alternative investment industry in Australia over 25 years ago. Dominic continues to be a respected voice today with advisors on the prudent use of alternative investments.

The Alternative Fund Manager of the Year Award – Antipodes – One of Australia’s preeminent equity market investors with a global reach and vision. Majority owned by their employees, adopting decades of pragmatic value investing with thoughtful portfolio construction, Antipodes continues to be a market leader in the Australian asset management industry.

And congratulations to all of our other Winners in each of their respective categories.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our generous award sponsors for their ongoing support—and to everyone who helps drive The Alternative Future Foundation’s mission to support our four key charities – Redkite, Noro, Women’s Community Shelter and Tranby. The fundraising, the awards, the inspiring (and often funny) fund videos, and the invaluable networking all combined to make this another unforgettable night.

Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to our main sponsor, La Trobe Financial, for their continued support of both the Awards and the Foundation’s charitable work.

Winners:

Fund Manager of the Year: Antipodes

Contribution to the Australian Alternative Funds Industry: Dominic McCormick

Best Emerging Fund Manager: Minotaur

Best Long Short Equity Fund – Antipodes Global Fund

Best Market Neutral Fund: Arcadian Defensive Income Class A

Best Global Macro & Managed Futures Fund: Ironbark Fulcrum Div Absolute Return Fund

Best Multi Strategy Fund: Cor Capital

Best Alternative Fixed Income & Credit Fund: Perpetual Pure Credit Alpha Fund Class W

Best Private Debt Manager: Mosaic Private

Best Sustainable Investment Manager: Metrics Credit Partners

Best Offshore Manager Operating in Australia: BlackRock

Best Investor Supporting Australian Managers: Pinnacle Investment Management

Best Listed Alternative Investment Product: L1 Long Short Fund

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As in previous years, the quality and number of entries continues to grow, a reflection of the maturity of the managed account market in Australia.

Toby Potter, IMAP Chair: “Managed Accounts have become one of the fastest growing parts of the advice profession because they provide advisers and licensees with a superior way of delivering better client outcomes that more closely align with client goals. We are seeing continued evolution of the technology and portfolio management capability in Managed Accounts”.

“We had more entrants this year than ever, and a wider variety of portfolios. We are demanding ever higher standards of ourselves as a profession and this is reflected in the standard of portfolio management from the asset consultants, investment teams and the advisers who connect these capabilities to each client’s own circumstances”.

“The IMAP Managed Account Awards are only possible because of the commitment of the judges who dedicate considerable time, and the benefit of their professional expertise, to assessing the many entries which we receive. On behalf of all the entrants I want to thank them for their efforts.”

The IMAP 2025 Managed Account Awards Category Winners are:

About the IMAP Awards Judges

Deanne Baker has joined the judging panel for the first time this year and is Deputy Chief Investment Strategist for Evidentia.

Brad Matthews has 30 + years experience in the finance industry and is a highly regarded investment strategist.

Dominic McCormick cofounded multi asset and alternatives manager Select Asset Management.

Nigel Douglas is the principal of Douglas Funds Consulting and provides investment committee and research services.

Rob da Silva is Head of Research at Foresight analytics and has 39+ years of experience across two careers as a highly regarded investment manager & a leading research ratings expert.

Chetan Trehan is Sector Head real Assets, Alternatives and Multi Asset Funds with research house SQM Research.

Toby Potter is Chair of IMAP and Executive Director of Philo Capital Advisers.

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As in previous years, the quality and number of entries continues to grow, a reflection of the maturity of the managed account market in Australia.

“In 2022 IMAP introduced an ESG category to reflect the growing volume of ESG portfolios and in 2023 the inaugural Boutique Licensees category highlights the smaller advice businesses now working with experienced asset consultants to develop portfolios that reflect their investment philosophy. It’s part of the professionalisation of advice.” said Toby Potter – IMAP Chair on behalf of the judges.

“We wish to congratulate the winners in each of the awards categories; Single Sector Asset Classes (4), Multi Asset Class , ESG, Innovation, Licensee category and the new Boutique Licensee category.”

“In particular, the strength of the Licensee Category and Boutique Licensee Category recognise the breadth of use of managed accounts. Evaluation of the Licensees this year was enhanced with analysis of each portfolio using the BlackRock Aladdin risk and factor tools” says Potter

The multi asset class category is the most heavily contested. Speaking on behalf of the judges, Dominic McCormick said “While there is a clear qualitative scoring approach around investment philosophy, process, team and collateral, combined with risk adjusted performance, there was more discussion between the judges on the finalists in this category than in any other”

Toby Potter, Chair of IMAP. “I want to thank the Judging panel of independent researchers and other specialists for their time & energy. There are a significant number of entries each year and the work involved in reviewing them all in depth is considerable.”

The IMAP 2023 Managed Account Awards Category Winners are:

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Alternative investments find mainstream favour with sophisticated retail investors and advisers

Investors tipping into the alternative investments area.

A roundtable of leading Australian and international investors has today ratified growing interest in alternative investment instruments, saying the sophistication of providers has helped overcome historical obstacles.

Today’s ‘new breed’ investment managers – with a transparent focus on must-have liquidity and global capability – is helping to redefine alternatives as prized portfolio tools for retail investors and financial advisers.

“Australian retail investors lag international peers in respect of their asset allocation to alternatives,” said Winston Capital Partners Founding Partner and Managing Director, Andrew Fairweather.

“So we see strong upside potential to bring the best of local experience coupled with a global specialist. This enables us to bring an institutional quality offer with greater liquidity, transparency and access to investments and strategies not currently available to domestic investors,” he said.

The experts, drawn from specialist investment management group Select Investment Partners and its investment adviser Neuberger Berman addressed a special roundtable to map out the parameters for the ‘new alternatives’ approach.

“Select continued its journey to bring deep, institutional quality investment thinking and capability to retail investors earlier this year with the appointment of Neuberger Berman in an advisory role to the Select Alternatives Portfolio,” said Mr Fairweather.

“Today was a unique chance to hear first-hand perspectives from the investment professionals running the fund. It has helped to explain why Select Investment Partners believes alternative investing in Australia has reached a positive tipping point.”

Dominic McCormick, Select’s Chief Investment Officer, said: “Alternative investment offerings to retail investors today not only have to help diversify a portfolio but they also need to be highly liquid, transparent, value for cost and global in scope.  Select and Neuberger Berman are aiming to bring all these elements together in a high quality package”.

Mr Fairweather, whose firm distributes the Select Alternatives Portfolio, said the partnership of Select with Neuberger Berman is an exciting new partnership that brings unique opportunities to Australian investors.

“The Select approach has been to partner with a global brand in Neuberger Berman, while forging a best of breed investment committee including:

• Dominic McCormick, Chief Investment Officer and a founding partner of Select
• David Bell, current member of Select’s Investment Advisory Panel and consultant to Select;
• Thomas Good, former manager in debt and alternatives at the Future Fund, now an Investment Strategist with Select.”

“Select’s core principles of investor focus, investment rigour and original thinking continue to frame its activities in the Australian market,” he said.

“Neuberger Berman delivers Select Investment Partners significantly increased investment research, market leading technology and deep resources with a far broader reach for the Select Alternatives Portfolio.” Mr Fairweather concluded.

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