John Meagher

Colonial First State (CFS) has announced that over $20 billion is now invested in CFS Managed Accounts, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing managed account providers in the market

“Surpassing $20 billion invested into CFS Managed Accounts reflects the benefits financial advisers are realising from our significant investment in managed accounts infrastructure, expertise, and broad menu options,” said Frances Taylor, Executive Director of Managed Accounts at CFS.

“Our ambitious roadmap is focused on providing advisers with managed account solutions that provide them with efficiency, transparency and enable them to deliver better outcomes for their clients.”

CFS now offers managed accounts from 59 portfolio managers and is expanding its international managed accounts series with the Fidelity Global Top 50, which will be the eighth international option available to advisers when it launches in November.

To continue supporting advisers with dynamic, data-rich insights for client conversations on managed accounts, CFS has launched new digital reporting functionality on CFS Edge, with CFS FirstChoice going live in early October.

CFS also announces a new strategic partnership with MST Financial to introduce Sandstone Insights – a premium research platform designed to equip advisers with ASX 200-listed equity research and streamlined tools to help them deliver faster insights and greater value to clients.

“In an environment flooded with market data, this collaboration helps advisers cut through the noise – offering clear, digestible research to support confident conversations with clients about Australian shares,” added Ms Taylor.

Through the platform, advice professionals can create personalised watchlists with alerts, access buy, hold or sell notes for all companies under research coverage, view in-depth company ratings with monthly updates on Sandstone Insight’s top-rated investment recommendations, and get trading ideas that highlight short to medium-term opportunities based on market trends or other events.

“We are delighted to be partnering with CFS as they continue to innovate and develop new ways to help advisers deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients’ investment portfolios,” said John Meagher, Manager for MST Financial’s Sandstone Insights.

“We hope that our stock research and market insights will support advisers with ideas and information as they navigate the Australian equity market.”

The Accelerate Series of managed accounts on CFS Edge also continues to gain momentum with advisers, licensees and portfolio managers due to the benefits it provides to clients through reduced investment fees and discounted platform administration fees.

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Edwina Maloney

North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has seen its managed portfolio range become the fastest growing in the market after it surpassed $11 billion in assets under management (AUM).

The significant uptick in North’s managed portfolio AUM is due to the flexible way North has engaged with practices to either build, badge or buy from its offer, after the platform grew its total AUM from $2 billion to now over $11 billion in the space of two years^[1].

Advisers on the platform, which offers one of Australia’s best investment menus, can now access a total of 96 high-quality managed portfolios across multiple asset classes and investment strategies.

The sentiment continues to remain strong with both aligned and non-aligned advisers. According to the 2023 Adviser Technology Needs Report by Investment Trends, more advisers are choosing North as their main platform because of its range of products and investments, low overall cost to clients and reliability.

New partnership with Sandstone

North has also announced a new partnership with Sandstone Insights to provide advisers with access to the latest equity research and analysis through the platform.

The agreement is the first of its kind in the Australian platform market and reflects North’s ongoing commitment to supporting advisers in delivering high-quality advice to their clients.

Sandstone Insights Manager John Meagher, said: “We are delighted to partner with North as they continue to innovate and deliver even more high-quality products and services.

“Sandstone Insights provides advisers and their clients with ASX stock research and equity market commentary to help with their investment portfolios and adds to the tools available to advisers.”

AMP Group Executive of Platforms Edwina Maloney, said: “Investment in North’s managed portfolios range has continued to surge, increasing from $2 billion to more than $11 billion in the space of two years.

“We recognise the considerable benefits they offer, and we’ll continue to work closely with the advice community as we further expand North’s managed portfolio range.

“They form an important part of North’s overall value proposition which is focused on investment choice and quality, retirement solutions, functionality, low fees and service.

“AMP continues to invest in the IT functionality of our North managed portfolio offer with new capability coming out later this year.

“Our new partnership with Sandstone Insights also now offers North advisers and their clients access to high-quality research, continuing the evolution of the platform.”

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[1] North’s managed portfolio AUM was $2 billion as at 25 May 2021: MyNorth $2 billion assets under management.

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Robyn Petrou

Energy Super’s Robyn Petrou has been named the winner of the 12th Annual Fund Executive of the Year Award by the Fund Executive Association Limited (FEAL), in partnership with AMP Capital.

The prestigious award recognises outstanding leadership, innovation and achievement by a fund executive within the Australian superannuation industry.

The Fund Executive of the Year Award was presented last night at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne. FEAL has been providing dedicated support to the professional development of leaders in superannuation for the past 14 years.

Energy Super’s Chief Executive Officer Robyn Petrou was selected for demonstrating exceptional leadership through the launch and growth of Energy Super and spearheading an internal review of processes and systems to align the new fund with its members.

AMP Capital’s Head of Institutional Business John Meagher said Ms Petrou had shown considerable leadership and strategic vision to navigate the fund through a period of considerable change and challenges for the industry.

“Robyn has focused on the needs of its members and the opportunities for growth. She continues to provide certainty for Energy Super’s members through her clear and decisive leadership and dedicated member services,” Mr Meagher said.

Ms Petrou was selected for the award by a panel of industry leaders and peers. As part of FEAL and AMP Capital’s commitment to supporting professional development, Ms Petrou will receive a $20,000 education grant to study at an internationally recognised business school.

On winning the award Ms Petrou said: “I am overwhelmed to have been named the Fund Executive of the Year and am deeply honoured to be recognised by my peers in the superannuation industry. It is a tribute to the fantastic work of the Energy Super team.”

FEAL’s Independent Chairman Neil Cochrane said: “Robyn is a wonderful role model and example of a leading fund executive. Her integrity, focus and innovative vision demonstrate her commitment and leadership of Energy Super and she is a worthy recipient of the award.”

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