ResearchIP has slated its NZ fund manager of the year awards for the middle of November in Auckland as live action industry events return to pre-COVID levels.
The Australasian research house last held an in-person NZ fund gong event in 2019, which was also its first in a stand-alone capacity.
Prior to the 2019 show (dating back to 2015) Research IP provided qualitative input to the NZ awards operating under the FundSource brand, then owned by the NZX.
Another Australian researcher, Zenith, bought FundSource in 2019, quietly exiting the NZ market earlier this year following a COVID-disrupted foray this side of the Tasman. UK-based FE FundInfo bought Zenith last October.
Meanwhile, ResearchIP kept the NZ awards alive online for the 2020 and 2021 periods with ANZ and Milford Asset Management taking out the respective top prize for those years.
In a release, Research IP says the awards were established to “recognise the contribution fund managers are making to Kiwi investors year in and year out”.
“It has been a demanding year, to say the least. Financial advisers and fund managers have had to work overtime to show value for money amidst a brutal market environment,” the statement says.
The major awards cover responsible investment, boutique, KiwiSaver, longevity, and the overall fund manager of the year.
However, in a bid to democratise fund research, the awards also include both adviser and investor choice prizes with voting now under way. ResearchIP has opened up the online adviser ballot here while investors can click on this link.
ResearchIP, founded by Darren Howlin, will host the awards night in Auckland on November 16.