FUND managers have thrown their support behind independent research trips with a number set to join a group of planners heading to the US and the UK later this year.
Tour organiser Julie Rigoni of MC Marketing Concepts says fund managers had approached her to investigate the viability of an independently organised research trip based on a similar event held for financial planners each year.
The ‘Best of Breed’ Research Investment Tour (BRIT) for funds management research staff will coincide with the Adviser Overseas Investment Expedition tour for planners, but the two groups will meet with different parts of the funds management and financial planning industries in the US, UK and Europe.
The event is a first for fund managers and has been restricted to a core group, which Rigoni says represents the best of breed managers operating in the local market.
So far 33 groups have indicated they would like to be involved, but Rigoni says in keeping with the best of breed approach the number of managers would be capped at 12 to 15. The final numbers for the group will be based on each manager meeting certain criteria but would also include representatives from local research houses.
Both trips will leave and travel together from mid-September to early October and will take in the US FPA annual conference.
