1. IFM Investors
  2. Private Equity

Investment philosophy

We’re passionate about generating sustainable growth

  • We adopt a proactive role to create growth and value for our portfolio companies by driving the strategic agenda, investing in talent and a performance culture, and by ensuring appropriate governance is in place
  • We support our portfolio companies to grow and seize opportunities through:
    • Accelerated customer acquisition
    • Application of technology to innovate and step change performance
    • Strategic acquisitions to build capability and scale
    • Development of new products and services
    • New market expansion
  • We continuously seek opportunities to invest in businesses over time to drive future growth
  • We embed a responsible investment approach into all our decisions so that our portfolio companies make a positive impact to diversity and inclusion, the environment, workplace safety and labour rights

We believe our private equity offerings are differentiated

  • Access at scale to attractive segments of the Australian private equity market
  • Enhanced transparency of investment and operating decisions
  • Flexible investment horizons
  • Competitive fee structures
  • Institutional capabilities and networks
  • Responsible investment leadership

Our investment approach and framework is designed to prioritise returns for investors


Focused investment strategy

We are focused on growth capital investments in the Australia and New Zealand markets, supporting founders and management teams that are seeking a partner for the next chapter in their growth journey. We support companies in service sectors with a resilient business model, to make the most of their organic growth opportunities and to pursue breakout strategies through capital investments and enhanced capabilities.

Highly Experienced Team

The senior members of the team have extensive experience investing in private equity. We take a systematic, disciplined approach to deal sourcing, value creation and investment realisation. We leverage IFM Investors’ institutional networks and capabilities and bring global best practice to bear. We support portfolio companies with sector and functional experts to accelerate execution, develop leadership talent and apply the latest thinking on responsible investment.

Strong investor alignment

IFM‘s ownership structure drives alignment with investors to pursue the “best” net returns in a manner that is aligned with the objectives of investors. We strive to offer enhanced transparency to investors in respect of investment and operating decisions. We are able to enable flexibility for investment horizons and for investor input into portfolio construction. And we believe we offer a competitive fee structure so that investors can benefit more from investment success.

Private Equity Insights

Private Equity

Answering LPs’ transparency needs

Stuart Wardman-Browne,
Global Head of Private Equity

IFM Investors’ Stuart Wardman-Browne, Adrian Kerley and David Odgers share with Private Equity International how LPs are seeking a better alignment of interests with GPs.
READ MORE
Economic Update

Economic Update September 2017

Alex Joiner,
Chief Economist

Another watershed moment in the post-global financial crisis monetary experiment fast approaches.
READ MORE

Bringing a best practice approach through the investment cycle

Deal sourcing
  • Proprietary deal flow through IFM networks
  • Experienced and connected senior team
  • Rigorous opportunity tracking
  • Opportunity scoring tool to triage potential deals
Value creation through ownership
  • Clear value creation plans developed through extensive due diligence
  • Ability to access sector and functional experts from across IFM Investors’ networks
  • Toolkits to develop strategy, enhance talent and culture, and drive execution
  • Application of governance and responsible investment best practice
  • Expert support for strategic acquisitions
  • Regular strategic reviews
Exit optionality
  • Flexibility over hold period to maximise potential returns
  • Regular hold/sell analysis
  • Deal negotiation and execution experience with multiple pathways to investment realisation including IPOs, sales to trade buyers and sales to financial buyers

Investment criteria

  • Businesses domiciled in Australia or New Zealand
  • Pre-investment enterprise valuation of A$20-$300 million
  • Profitable with a proven business model
  • Operating in service sectors underpinned by technology, in particular:
    • Healthcare
    • Software & technology
    • Consumer experiences
    • Business Services
  • Have a clear, actionable growth agenda requiring capital and enhanced capabilities

Current investments

New investment opportunities

Please contact [email protected]