The Sydney-based local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS) has appointed Intech Investment Consultants as its external asset consultant, replacing Russell.
John Livanas, general manager of client services at FuturePlus which provides admistrative services to LGSS, said a formal review and tender process was undertaken, which began late year. Russell had been LGSS’ consultant for several years. Livanas said the fact Intech was looking at selling up to 50 per cent of its shares was not seen as a big issue. “We’ve taken that into account and we have no concerns,” he said. He expected manager and portfolio reviews to be an “evolutionary process” with Intech on board, and did not envisage any broad-ranging changes in the short term. LGSS, which is run for local government employees in New South Wales, has funds under management of about $5 billion. LGSS co-owns FuturePlus with the Energy Industries Superannuation Scheme.
The role of IFM Investors in arranging a visit by a delegation of Australian super funds to the US last month gives a pointer to the scale of the longer-term ambitions of the global super-fund-owned asset manager, and a recent investment in the manager by the UK pension fund NEST is designed to give it even greater clout. IFM chair Cath Bowtell tells Investment Magazine the manager aims to be a partner to governments around the world as they seek capital to build critical infrastructure.
Glenda KorporaalMarch 21, 2025
