The new rating recognises both the investment capability and the fact that the Fund generates risk-adjusted returns in line with relevant objectives. Over the one-year period to 31 August 2020, which included COVID-19 related market turmoil, the Fund delivered a Total Fund Return^[1]of 1.82%, outperforming the benchmark by 0.20%., and since inception, has delivered a Total Fund Return^[1] of 5.97%.

The Fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of investment grade Australian fixed income assets and aims to deliver an active return for a competitive fee. The Fund aims to outperform the Bloomberg Ausbond Composite 0+Yr Index  over any three-year rolling period, before fees, expenses and taxes.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement, which is a validation of the team’s relative value approach to Australian fixed income. Our experienced investment team has both substantial fixed income and credit experience, and utilises proprietary relative value tools that aim to deliver the best possible returns in the market,” said Darren Langer, Head of Australian Fixed Income, Nikko Asset Management Australia.

“It is wonderful for the team to be recognised with Lonsec’s highest rating and it will only further assist our strong momentum in capturing flows. The team rebuilt their process over three years ago, with a proprietary technology tool that leverages and scales the team’s intellect, generating great peer and benchmark relative outperformance,” said Rob Bluzmanis, Head of Distribution, Nikko Asset Management Australia.

“Lonsec has upgraded the Fund’s rating to ’Highly Recommended’ following its most recent review. Lonsec has increased conviction in the team who, while smaller than many peers, has evolved the process and tools to efficiently blend top-down macro, bottom-up credit with additional alpha from relative value. The outcome has been a conservative, competitively priced Australian Fixed Interest Fund which has delivered solid risk-adjusted returns relative to most peers,” according to Lonsec’s Nikko AM Australian Bond Fund client release, September 2020.

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[1] Total Fund (net) returns are post fees, pre tax using redemption prices and assume reinvestment of distributions. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Benchmark: Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+YR Index. Inception date: July 2000.

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His appointment follows the resignation of Eddy Schipper, who is leaving the Firm in early August to pursue other interests.

Mr Hallinan, said it is always pleasing to appoint from within the business, and that Mr Bluzmanis’ promotion is well deserved.

“Rob has been with Nikko AM since January 2015 and has over 20 years’ experience in asset management sales and distribution. During his time with Nikko AM he has been instrumental in building up and maintaining the success of the wholesale sales strategy and he has ably managed Nikko AM’s Retail Sales & Research team.

“Rob’s appointment comes at a time of strong growth in the Nikko AM business and his proven success in leveraging his relationships to grow the business will stand him in good stead in this new role.

“Rob’s experience and expertise mean he is ideally placed to continue to build on the already strong efforts of the Australian distribution team, and to capitalise on business growth and momentum we are seeing in the market.”

Prior to joining Nikko AM, Mr Bluzmanis spent eight years at Blackrock Australia in a number of sales and account management roles, most recently as Director and Head of National Key Accounts & Research. Before this he was Senior Business Development Manager – Investments with Colonial First State.

Mr Bluzmanis holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University. He has a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from The Financial Securities Institute of Australia and has undertaken the Certified Investment Management Analyst Program from the Investment Management Consultants Association.

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Mr Casey will be based in Sydney and will report to Rob Bluzmanis, Head of Wholesale Sales for Nikko AM.

Mr Bluzmanis said the appointment of Mr Casey was driven by a changing economic and regulatory environment, and to ensure Nikko AM continues to remain innovative through targeted sales activity. 

“Damien is a superb addition to the team and joins at a critical growth juncture. He’ll be responsible for implementing our sales strategy across Wholesale Accounts, Private Wealth and retail advisers and importantly, will deepen relationships with advisor groups within these segments. 

“With proven expertise in sales engagement, investment knowledge and client service, Damien is well-placed to capitalise on the heightened need for Nikko AM to introduce new ideas and methods into sales-based initiatives, and we’re extremely confident in his ability to deliver,” he said.

Prior to joining Nikko AM, Mr Casey worked at Lonsec as a BDM where he distributed its managed accounts and consulting services to the advice market, and was previously employed at Rainmaker covering institutional and wholesale markets across all asset classes. He has also worked as a paralegal for legal services firm, Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Mr Casey holds a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Notre Dame (Australia) and is studying for a Diploma of Financial Planning (Monarch Institute). His appointment was effective 20 May 2019.

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Ms Gunawan joins the company from the Australian Red Cross where she held the role of National Business Partnerships Manager. She has also held business development roles with not-for-profit performing arts organisation Musica Viva Australia as well as with financial services companies Legg Mason Global Asset Management, ABN AMRO Bank, BT Financial and Norwich Union Australia.

Mr Green most recently worked at Pengana Capital as a Business Development Analyst. He also worked for several years in London within Legal & General’s investment management research unit and prior to that he worked in client services for Assure New Zealand.

“These appointments highlight Nikko Asset Management’s commitment to better understand and to comprehensively service the needs of independent financial advisers and the private wealth market,” said Sam Hallinan, Managing Director of Nikko Asset Management Australia. “The addition of Lia and Simon to the team will further strengthen our relationships in New South Wales and Queensland as we work with our clients on investment solutions and building robust portfolios.”

The new appointments follow recent recruits Eddy Schipper, Rob Bluzmanis and Naomi Finnigan to Nikko Asset Management Australia’s distribution team.

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With over 14 years’ industry experience, most recently as Director- Head of National Key Accounts with Blackrock Investment Management, Mr Bluzmanis will oversee Nikko Asset Management’s relationships with financial institutions.

Mr Bluzmanis will report to Vincent Lo Blanco, Head of Distribution at Nikko Asset Management Australia.

“We are delighted to welcome Rob to the Nikko Asset Management team,” said Vincent Lo Blanco. “Rob has established an exemplary professional reputation based on the strength of his investment and asset management knowledge, which will significantly benefit our clients in Australia.”

“It is genuinely exciting to be joining Nikko Asset Management with its growing reputation as Asia’s premier global asset manager,” Mr Bluzmanis said.

“I look forward to working closely with our institutional clients to ensure they are receiving the full benefits of our products and services.” Mr Bluzmanis holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University, Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, FINSIA and a Certified Investment Management Analyst Certification (CIMA).

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