Pictured proudly displaying their awards are from left: Willie Pelser Fund Manager & Director, Michael Porter Fund Manager & Chief Investment Officer and Robin Gibson Marketing Director.
HOWICK-based independent asset manager Harvard House Investment Management, scooped three Raging Bull honours during last night's Personal Finance Profile Media Raging Bull awards ceremony, highlighting the ability of smaller institutions to deliver capacity and service to their clients.
The Harvard House BCI Flexible Income Fund won a certificate as the Best South African Multi-Asset Income Fund and in addition won the Raging Bull for the Best South African Interest Bearing Fund. Earlier the Harvard House BCI General Equity Fund won the coveted Raging Bull as the Best South African Equity General Fund.
The funds were both awarded in the Top Outright Performer category for the three-year period to December 2014.
Established in 1972, the Harvard House Group provides a comprehensive range of financial solutions largely geared around private client wealth management including accounting and tax solutions, local and offshore asset management, financial planning, estate planning and administration and long-term life assurance and short-term insurance broking.
The two funds which Harvard House manage have been consistent performers since their launch in October 2006 with the group currently holding just under R4,5 billion in assets under management.
Harvard House chief investment officer Michael Porter said that "The past three years in the market have not been easy and to be recognised as a top performer indicates we have done the basics right and have rewarded the investors who placed their faith and confidence in our abilities. Essentially, these awards reflect how our philosophy works on the bigger stage and that smaller, independent financial houses are equal to the task."
Co-managing the two funds, Harvard House director and fund manager Willie Pelser said the economic environment had made it difficult to predict the accurate path of inflation and interest rates, so the risk of being on the wrong side of the fixed interest market had been substantial.
He said that "To have sustained the income yield and simultaneously grown our unit holders' capital has been challenging and we are thus immensely proud and humbled by this recognition. Our success demonstrates that clients can benefit from personal service without compromising on quality."
The awards are:
Raging Bull certificates:
• Best SA Multi-Asset Income Fund (Absolute Performance) Harvard House BCI Flexible Income Fund managed by Willie Pelser
Raging Bull awards:
• Best SA Equity General Fund (Absolute Performance) Harvard House BCI General Equity Fund managed by Michael Porter
• Best SA Interest-bearing Fund (Absolute Performance) Harvard House BCI Flexible Income Fund managed by Willie Pelser
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