The Independent Investment Management Initiative (IIMI), a member-led industry group that represents specialist investment firms, has just welcomed its 50th member. The think tank which has seen a 43% increase in membership over the past 12 months, has welcomed 15 new members in the past 12 months. These include 49th member, sustainability start-up Rebalance Earth founded by Robert Gardner’s (co founder of Redington and mallowstreet), and its 50th member CG Asset Management, which manages the FTSE 250 listed Capital Gearing Trust, among other funds.
Dani Hristova, Chief Executive Officer for IIMI, commented: “The growth of our membership signals the importance of our collective voice within the asset management ecosystem. I’m also delighted that, as we have grown, our membership has diversified further. We now support more businesses that provide critical infrastructure and services to boutiques for example, ACDs and distribution partners. The regulatory, operational and commercial headwinds for smaller firms remain disproportionate and I’m proud that through our collective efforts, we’re able to ease some of these pressures and help firms to thrive. It’s imperative that investment specialists compete alongside global asset managers so that we can increase investment choice and ensure good client outcomes”.
Chris Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of CG Asset Management said: “We are delighted to become IIMI’s 50th member, especially at a time when independent firms are playing an increasingly vital role in the investment landscape. IIMI’s work in championing the interests of specialist firms like ours is invaluable, and we are eager to contribute to the collective effort. It’s crucial that boutique managers have a voice in shaping regulation and ensuring a competitive market, so that we can continue to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.”
About the Independent Investment Management Initiative:
The Independent Investment Management Initiative (IIMI) is a member-led industry think tank representing specialist, entrepreneurial investment boutiques that are entirely focused on and aligned with the interests of their investors.
Founded in 2010, the IIMI counts amongst its 50 members some of the world’s leading specialist asset management firms, overseeing over c. $640bn in client assets and representing c. 3,000 members of staff.
Over the past two decades, as the financial services industry has been dominated by global giants, an increasing appreciation of a traditional ‘client-centric’ approach has enabled entrepreneurial firms in the UK
and beyond to emerge as a growing competitive force. The IIMI offers these firms an expert voice in the debate over best practice and the future of financial regulation, with the aim of building a better future for smaller and independent asset managers that prioritise specialism over scale in delivering the best results to clients. The IIMI has three core aims: to shape a regulatory environment that supports boutiques and promotes competition, to promote the strengths of boutiques and facilitate commercial opportunities for members, and to drive best practice across our membership.
For IIMI press enquiries, please contact:
Sam Emery, Quill PR: sam@quillpr.com 07798 881 770
Emma Murphy, Quill PR: emma@quillpr.com 07872 604 413
