Moving up the ranks - SIM scores highly in PlexCrown ratings

Against the backdrop of one of the worst quarters in global equity markets in recent years, asset manager Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) was placed third in the PlexCrown ratings with eight of its funds achieving greatly improved ratings. Earlier in 2010, SIM was named the best in-house asset manager in the Morningstar awards. SIM regards this strong performance as proof that a five-year period spent actively building a pedigreed investment capability, has been a success.

SIM MD Armien Tyer - who has been in the job for five years this year - says the business has become a true contender in South African asset management. “There is a perception in some circles that asset managers from traditional life insurers follow behind pure asset management businesses. We have never subscribed to this thinking and we have systematically built up a lean and modern investment business that can more than compete with every player in the industry. Our performance is testament to this.”

SIM is a multi-specialist asset manager that employs a pragmatic investment philosophy. “This philosophy is in our DNA and, while it may evolve over time, fundamentally it remains the same. It is a long term approach – we don’t take short term views – and this we believe is a major factor behind our strong performance in good and bad markets.”

Tyer says that the appointment of Gerhard Cruwyagen as chief investment officer in 2008 was a key factor in the performance. “Gerhard has been instrumental in ensuring that our philosophy is rigorously and consistently applied when making decisions. In addition, our multi-specialist investment teams – most of which are run by award-winning fund managers - are backed by a large team of company, fixed interest and macro-economic analysts.” A new head of retail, Candice Paine, who joined in 2009 and a significantly strengthened distribution team under Shane Tremeer have added further weight to SIM’s retail offering.

The following SIM and Sanlam funds received their highest ever rating in the past quarter:

· SIM Balanced

· SIM Financial

· General Equity

· SIM Managed Aggressive Fund of Funds

· SIM Moderate Aggressive Fund of Funds

· SIM Moderate Fund of Funds

· SIM Top Choice

· SIM Value

Tyer concludes that SIM now has its sights set firmly on achieving the top spot in both PlexCrown and Morningstar.