Blue Chip Issue 96

BLUECHIPINVESTMENT |

BLUECHIPINVESTMENT | DFMEvolving symmetrySymmetry is an investment solutions provider, offering a sophisticated range of solutions tailored to diverseclient needs. Blue Chip speaks to Kim Rassou, Head of Discretionary Fund Management at Symmetry.What makes your business distinctive?Our offering includes Multi-Managed funds, a Best-in-Classcapability and Discretionary Fund Management (DFM), all backedby a rigorous manager research function that enables us to buildportfolios with deep insight. When looking at our DFM capabilityspecifically, it is designed to be more than an outsourced investmentfunction – it’s about strategic partnerships. We support advisorsend-to-end, from manager research and portfolio constructionto asset allocation, book analysis, succession planning andco-branded model portfolios. Through our broader businesscapability, we are also able to provide practice management,business coaching and advice tools that help advisors scaleefficiently while maintaining a high-quality client experience.Advisors often need to source these ancillary services externally,and they don’t always link seamlessly into their advice process orbusiness practices, thereby decreasing efficiency and increasingcosts. Partnership is important to us. We focus on building long-termrelationships with advisors, helping them create enduring valuenot only through investment performance, but also by improvingoperational efficiency, enhancing client experience and growingtheir businesses holistically.Who is your ideal client?Our ideal client is an advisor or advisory firm looking fora collaborative, strategic partner, not just an outsourcedinvestment provider. We work best with advisors who want tofocus their time on client relationships and financial planning,while trusting us to manage the investment and operationalcomponents. These are professionals who see the value in fullservicesupport, investment expertise, robust infrastructure andpractice management solutions, all delivered through a single,scalable relationship.What role do DFMs play in improving client outcomes?We believe that our role is to help advisors deliver professionalgradeinvestment services while freeing up their time to focuson what matters most: their clients. DFMs extend the reachand capabilities of financial advisors by giving them access toinstitutional-grade investment management and sophisticatedportfolio management. At Symmetry, our team conducts deepmanager research, dynamic asset allocation and continuousmonitoring to ensure portfolios remain aligned with clients’long-term goals, even in changing market conditions. Improvingclient outcomes isn’t only about investment returns, it’s also aboutthe client experience. We help advisors streamline their operations,reduce administrative complexity and deliver consistent, riskalignedsolutions. Advisors also gain access to tools and investmentconsulting services that enable better client conversations, frombook analysis to peer comparisons and scenario modelling.Some argue DFMs are just another layer of costs for clients.Your response?We do not agree with that. We believe strongly that our role is tohelp advisors deliver professional-grade investment services whilefreeing up their time to focus on their clients. If you look at whatwe offer at Symmetry, the value becomes clear when you breakdown the full service offering, as we deliver and offer far more thaninvestment management alone. Advisors would typically need toassemble multiple service providers to get what we offer under oneroof: portfolio management, manager research, asset allocation,business growth support and advice tools. When combined, oursolution represents both a cost-effective and value-enhancingproposition for advisors and their clients.Some have the view that DFMs should have performance tableslike fund managers. Your perspective?At Symmetry, we believe performance matters, but it mustbe meaningful. Unlike traditional fund managers, who targetspecific benchmarks, DFMs build solutions aligned to each client’sindividual goals and risk profile. That means a single performancetable isn’t always relevant or comparable. What’s important iswhether the advisor’s client is on track to meet their objectives.That’s the lens we use when reporting on performance. We providetransparent, regular reporting, and work closely with advisors tointerpret results in context, considering risk, return and longtermoutcomes. Ultimately, our role is not just to outperform abenchmark, but to help advisors deliver consistent, goal-alignedoutcomes for their clients.What are the biggest challenges you see facing DFMs in thenext decade?The industry is shifting,and advisors and clients are becoming moresophisticated – they expect more than just generic solutions or offthe-shelfinvestment solutions. For us as DFMs to stay relevant,we must evolve. This means staying ahead of global investmenttrends, embracing innovation and continuously refining the valuewe deliver. Scalability is also critical: as DFMs, we should offerpersonalised, high-touch services at scale– without compromising quality or clientoutcomes. At Symmetry, we see this as anopportunity and are committed to leadingthe way by building the next generation ofinvestment solutions that help advisors growtheir businesses while delivering real valueto their clients.Kim Rassou, Head of DiscretionaryFund Management, Symmetry44 www.bluechipdigital.co.za

Built for tomorrow.Delivered today.Success isn’t found inshortcuts. It’s built throughbold ideas, deep insight, andunwavering delivery.At Symmetry, we designinvestment solutions thatadapt to change — and endurethrough it.Discover investment solutionsthat stand the test of time.Insightful investing.Enduring value.www.symmetry.co.zaSymmetry is a division of Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SouthAfrica) Limited, a licensed Financial Services Provider and Life Insurer.