IML senior portfolio manager, Simon Conn, is to depart the fund manager after 27 years.
Conn was one of the firm’s founding members in 1998 and has led the firm’s small and mid-cap portfolios during his tenure.
He will leave the firm at the end of June and will remain as a consultant until the end of September.
Subsequent to his exit, portfolio manager Marc Whittaker will assume responsibility for the small and mid-cap team, having managed the funds with Conn for the past eight years. He will be supported by Lucas Goode, who ran the flagship Australian Smaller Companies Fund as co-portfolio manager with Conn, as well as the broader investment team.
Whittaker joined IML in 2016 and currently manages the Future Leaders and Private Portfolio funds. Prior to joining IML, he spent six years at Milford Asset Management.
IML chief executive, Damon Hambly, said: “Simon’s dedication and expertise has been an asset to IML, the team, and our valued clients for 27 years, and it’s with gratitude that we sincerely wish him a happy retirement.
“Simon’s leadership of the team and our considered approach to succession planning ensure that our portfolios will continue to be managed in the same disciplined manner that we applied since inception, focusing on quality companies trading at reasonable valuations.”
Conn said: “It’s with great confidence that I retire, leaving the small and mid-cap portfolios in the very capable hands of Marc and Lucas. My decision was made with much consideration after what has been a very fulfilling career at IML.
“Clients can rest assured that I believe that there’s no better time to pass on the baton. The team has demonstrated their ability to manage the funds in line with IML’s disciplined investment approach over several years.”
Whittaker added: “I’m grateful to Simon for his mentorship over the years, instilling the IML ‘quality and value’ approach into everything we do for our clients. It’s been an honour to work alongside Simon, and I’m thrilled to step into this new role, leading the IML small and mid-cap team.”
IML is a local affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers after the firm acquired a majority stake in the business back in 2017. Its chief executive and founder, Anton Tagliaferro, retired in March 2023 after 25 years and was replaced by Natixis’ Hambly.
