Stuart Williams: Nikko NZ head of equities
Nikko Asset Management and AMP Capital were named best in class for their efforts in managing equities and bonds, respectively, at last week’s INFINZ awards.
On the night, Stuart Williams, Nikko head of equities, stepped up to accept the Chapman Tripp-sponsored INFINZ equity fund manager of the year award, secured in tight one-on-one battle with 2015 winner Devon Funds Management
Meanwhile, AMP Capital’s Vicky Hyde-Smith, recently appointed to sole charge of the firm’s NZ fixed income division, was handed the prize as best bond manager – an award supported by the Massey University College of Business.
Other NZ fund manager successes on the night included Elevation Capital principal, Richard Milsom, who was named University of Auckland Business School ‘Emerging Leader’ – won by Shareclarity co-founder, Daniel Kieser, last year when the category debuted.
FNZC (also known as First NZ Capital) cleaned up the stockbroking awards winning both the Milford Asset Management sharebroking firm of the year title and research analyst gong via Arie Dekker, who starred again in this recurring role.
All up 14 awards were doled out during the ceremony at Auckland’s Langham Hotel in front of a record 820-strong crowd, according to an INFINZ statement.
“Sixteen leading fund managers are polled to determine the broking related awards, including that of the Research Analyst of the Year,” the release says. “These institutions and the research analysts from the five full-service share broking firms operating in New Zealand are polled for the Market Leaders Best Corporate Communicator Award.”
In addition to the regular award categories, INFINZ named Rob Cameron as its second ‘distinguished fellow’ – a title first bestowed on Sir John Anderson last year – and three new fellows including FNZC’s Scott St John.
Recently-appointed Finance Minister, Steven Joyce, also gave the INFINZ crowd a preview of next week’s budget, letting slip that his inaugural effort would not match the A$29 billion deficit brought down by the Australian government earlier in May.