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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Since its inception in 2014, Research IP has designed and built investment technology solutions in New Zealand and Taiwan, become a market leading fund research offering in New Zealand and become a respected investment consultant working with major dealer groups, platforms and financial advice firms across the Asia Pacific.

Flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of all our stakeholders is paramount, whether they be investors, advisers or fund managers. Listening and reacting to feedback is a critical element of our plan to be an innovator in the research space.

Research IP Managing Director, Darren Howlin says “Rob and the Research IP executive team will bring a core offering of high-quality actionable research that is freely available. This will enable clients to have access to key information and ratings, helping them to make important investment decisions. The only requirement to access the service is an email address.” Over the balance of 2024 Research IP will continue adding features to its research platform.

Howlin said “Research IP is extremely pleased to have someone of the calibre of Rob joining the team. Rob is a highly capable and respected financial services professional and brings a unique set of skills gained over 39+ years in two careers as a highly regarded investment manager and leading research expert. This combination is rare in the Australian marketplace and brings sharper insights and a deeper level of understanding of a manager’s competency and value to an investor.

Rob most recently spent nine years as Head of Research at SQM Research (2014 to 2023), leading, developing, and mentoring a strong analyst team and driving ratings coverage to grow from 45 to 450. Over that time, he has assessed, rated, and reported on over 300 fund managers and 1,730 products across all asset classes. Under his leadership, SQM Research received market acclaim by being voted No.1 in the Financial Newswire Rating the Ratings Houses Research Survey for 2022. He has been on the IMAP Managed Awards Judging Panel for 3 years including 2023.

Oliver Trusler, Managing Partner, said “Having been involved on both sides of the industry, we have identified a clear opportunity to disrupt the research space.  With our technology-led approach, combined with a range of experienced investment professionals we can bring efficiencies while separating opinions from facts.  We don’t need to regurgitate the PDS in a research report, the manager can do that.  While our research will be freely available and written in plain English, we will also bring a highly competitive pricing model to the industry.  Our aim is to get to full market coverage and provide the industry opinion and comparability to make better investment decisions.  With engagement already from Australian Managers we will shortly be releasing research on a range of funds from the likes of Ausbil, First Sentier and Perpetual with many more in the pipeline.  Supported by our RIPPL Effect concept we aim to quickly achieve full market coverage for the Australian and New Zealand markets.”

da Silva said “This is a terrific opportunity to make a meaningful difference in this rapidly changing marketplace.  I am tremendously excited to have a fresh start with a firm that has built such a dominant and respected position. Bringing that ‘change-agent’ philosophy to local clients is an invigorating and rewarding challenge. The team at Research IP are talented and motivated, with a proven track record. Together we will bring much-needed competitive tension to the Australian market for research.”

The Research IP report format and research process is unique, da Silva says “the core principles of Research IP are being transparent, actionable, and having clear and expert opinions. I believe in these ideals, and you will find them clearly expressed in our research reports.”

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Naomi Acton

Leading investment research company, van Eyk Research has bolstered its manager research team with the appointment of three new analysts, as it prepares to host its 11th Annual Conference in Sydney on April 9.

Murray Asken has joined van Eyk from UK-based fund manager Broadstone Pensions & Investments, where he advised institutional, wholesale and retail investors. Prior to that, Mr. Asken was a portfolio analyst at Perpetual.

Naomi Acton has joined van Eyk from NAB Wealth & MLC, where she held a variety of roles. Ms. Acton was most recently with MLC Private Equity. Graduate Adam Congiusta has also joined the group’s manager research team.

All three analysts report to van Eyk’s head of manager research and deputy chief investment officer, Rob da Silva.

“We’re extremely pleased to have such capable, talented and motivated individuals on board,” Mr. da Silva said.

“As a team we’re committed to the delivery of rigorous, thoughtful research that will add value to our clients.”

Mr. da Silva joined van Eyk in November 2013 following 12 years with Principal Global Investors, where he was formerly managing director, Asia Pacific Fixed Income.  Prior to that, he spent 11 years at BT Financial Group as an executive vice president and fixed income portfolio manager.

van Eyk chief executive Mark Thomas said the strengthened manager research team would ensure financial advisers continued receiving thorough research, expert analysis and thought leadership.

“Rob has done a fantastic job building up the team. We were impressed by the number and quality of the candidates who applied, and the successful candidates display the drive and skills we require,” he said.

Mr. Thomas said the company had also experienced a surge in enquiries and registrations for its 11th Annual Conference, with Hollywood film producer and author G. Edward Griffin and economist Andrew Hunt now confirmed as plenary speakers.

This year’s conference will analyse the uncertain global macro-economic landscape and implications for the Australian economy as well as explore themes including the search for yield, succession planning and the current residential property boom.

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