IFM Investors Chief Executive Brett Himbury to retire after a decade

IFM Investors Chief Executive, Brett Himbury, has today announced his retirement from executive roles, effective December 2020.

IFM Investors, which is owned by 27 Industry Super Funds, has grown to be a significant global funds management business. IFM Investors now manages $148 billion from industry super funds, pension funds and aligned investors in Australia and 22 other countries.

Brett Himbury said the business was in an exceptionally strong position to continue delivering superior retirement outcomes for working people around the world.

“The recent release of the tenth set of annual results during my time as Chief Executive was not only a source of immense pride, but also the opportunity to reflect on the past and consider my future.

“Over the past decade, IFM Investors has transformed and globalised while retaining an unyielding focus - consistent with our industry super fund owners - on strong net returns to members.

“It has been a privilege to lead one of the best performing businesses in the highly competitive world of global funds management.

“IFM Investors is ultimately owned by the millions of working Australians who are members of industry super funds and pension funds.

“Our member-first purpose has driven superior performance. Over 10 years, our shareholder return to industry super funds has been 17.8% - nearly double the ASX 200 average. We’ve been able to achieve this by recognising that if we first serve our members, strong shareholder returns will follow - rather than the other way around.

“That is something unique in a global context – and all Australians can be proud of that.”

Brett Himbury has held executive roles for 38 years, including 15 as a CEO. During the remainder of his tenure he will work closely with the IFM Investors team and Board to facilitate a smooth transition.

“I look forward to my next era as a non-executive and to contributing to a small range of organisations in board and advisory roles,” Mr Himbury said.

Greg Combet AM, Chair of IFM Investors said: “Under Brett’s leadership IFM Investors has delivered extraordinary returns to millions of Australian industry super fund members, and millions more workers through their pension funds.

“Brett has been a champion of the member-first ethos of industry super funds, and firmly aligned IFM Investors with the interests of its superannuation and pension fund investors.

“IFM now has 90 per cent of its products and mandates outperforming client objectives, with the strategic and financial flexibility to further invest and evolve. The Board is grateful for the role Brett has played over ten remarkable years and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead given the competitive position we now enjoy.”

A global search for the next Chief Executive will commence shortly.

Key achievements and highlights 2010-2019

Media contact:

Rebecca Nicholson, Mountain Media, 0409 216 053 or rebecca@mountainmedia.com.au

About IFM Investors:

IFM Investors is an investor-owned global fund manager with A$148bn under management as of 31 August 2019. Established more than 20 years ago and owned by 27 major pension funds, IFM Investors’ interests are deeply aligned with those of its investors. Investment teams in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia manage institutional strategies across infrastructure (equity and debt), debt investments, listed equities and private capital. IFM Investors is committed to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment and has been a signatory since 2008. IFM Investors has offices in nine locations; Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Zurich and Seoul. For more information please visit www.ifminvestors.com.