IFM Investors extends into Global Index Equities, makes first senior appointment

IFM Investors will launch a new Global Index Equities capability to include both Market Cap Weighted and Better Beta strategies, with an initial focus of provising Australian investors with access to global markets.

IFM Investors CEO Brett Himbury said today that the new offering arose as a result of collaborative discussions between IFM Investors and its clients.

"This initiative leverages our strengths, including our index expertise, long-term focus and capacity for research, to be able to offer our clients and expanded index equities capability."

The new asset class will be offered on a mandate bases to Australian institutional investors.

"The is a growing demand amongst Australian investors for offshore investment product, with the role of index equities and particularly better beta capability growing in funds allocation strategies," said IFM Investors Global Head of Indexed Equities Aidan Puddy.

"In time we will also expand our capability to international investors."

Mr Puddy said that move into global equities was a natural extension for the team who manages the firm's A$15 billion Australian Listed Equities asset class, which will expand to facilitate this new capability.

"IFM Investors is one of the largest managers of Australian indexed equities, with an almost 19-year track record.

"Investment Director Laurence Irlicht's responsibilities will change from Australian Index Equities to the new Global Index Equities capability, and he will lead the Better Beta strategies."

Also joining IFM Investors to assist in managing this new capability will be Adam Randall, who joins IFM Investors from Realindex Investments, where he was Portfolio Manager and head of research.

At Realindex Mr Randall researched, developed and marketed new Better Beta strategies for investors, with funds under management more than doubling in his time with Realindex.