A young Brisbane investment management firm has again surpassed expectations by being named one of only five finalists in the nation’s IMAP Managed Fund Awards 2022 for Best Licensee Managed Account.
This is the second consecutive year that Alvia Asset Partners has been nominated as a finalist in the awards, which recognises excellent practice among advice firms and investment providers across Australia.
This year’s result again pits the maverick-style player against established institutional heavyweight Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for the top gong.
COO Eddie Barrett said the secret to the six-member firm’s ongoing success has been its tortoise-style ‘slow and steady’ approach to investing which has seen it consistently outperform many other more established market stalwarts.
“Our approach is not universally embraced by the large institutional players, who measure success in terms of the ‘relative returns’ they generate for clients. But we always explain to clients that you can’t eat relative returns,” Barrett said.
“Our clients have come to understand that bounding erratically from one bright, shiny fad to another is a definite race to the bottom.
“Instead, we’re committed to working with clients seeking ‘capital preservation’ and ‘absolute returns’ over the long term. We aren’t in a rush.”
Barrett also said that Alvia’s decision to specialise purely in the investment work for clients, and not dilute their service with adjunct offerings, like estate planning or insurance, meant the team could offer clients direct access and investment education in a meaningful way.
“It’s another important point of difference. You just don’t get that level of access or attention at the bigger service providers,” he said.
Barrett acknowledged former QIC CIO Jim Christensen’s appointment last year as chair and independent member of the firm’s Investment Advisory Committee also helped reinforce the already strong cohort of seasoned investors managing a portfolio of in excess of $200M.
“Since the last award nomination, we have closed our largest private equity investment, which has had an incredibly strong 12 months.
“This, alongside our resistance to falling prey to highly speculative narratives, has held our clients in good stead and helped act as a buffer against the worst of the market drawdowns in the past 4-6 months,” he said.
Barrett said the team was “chuffed” about getting a second bite at the cherry, with some planning on attending the Awards Presentation in Sydney.
Run by the Institute of Managed Account Professionals, the prestigious IMAP Managed Fund Awards will be adjudicated by a group of independent researchers and specialists, with winners announced later this month.