Based in Sandton, Johannesburg, Investment Solutions by Alexforbes is a newly established division of Alexforbes, South Africa’s leading investments multi-manager, entering the Discretionary Fund Management (DFM) market. Investment Solutions by Alexforbes was launched in 2024 and leverages the investment insights as well as significant institutional and retail scale of the broader Alexforbes Investments business which has been providing multi-managed investment solutions to the retail and institutional market for over 30 years.
A diverse range of clients
Investment Solutions by Alexforbes caters to a wide array of clients and IFAs in the South African market, ranging from clients requiring flagship model portfolio solutions all the way to larger wealth managers requiring investment consulting services on their own Category II licence. Such clients may also require various structuring needs from their DFM, like access to market through co-branding their own unit trust solutions or pure manager research services which are all provided through our DFM.
With circa R100-billion of internally and externally managed IFA assets, we believe in multi-investments, investing in a broad range of asset classes for diverse returns. Our multi-strategy approach uses complementary strategies for smoother returns. Ultimately, as a multi-manager, we appoint top-rated asset managers within this framework to deliver reliable outcomes.
A holistic approach
Investment Solutions DFM is designed to assist Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) by providing a holistic suite of investment capabilities. This includes access to comprehensive investment manager research, specialised multi-managed investment portfolios and previously inaccessible asset classes like hedge funds, private markets and infrastructure investments. This is all supported by a strategic partnership with Mercer, a global investment manager that offers world-class insights and research covering more than 30 000 active global strategies. Investment Solutions can leverage its scale, experience and expertise to offer IFAs and their clients robust investment solutions that promise significant diversification and performance opportunities, aligning with the group’s strategy to be a trusted partner for IFAs.
Our multi-management aooroach blends multiple asset managers across various markets, asset classes and management styles into a single portfolio
Process driven
We take our time to understand our IFA clients’ practice and their needs before putting forward any investment proposition. This involves an in-depth book analysis at the inception of the relationship to understand the product mix, what LISP platforms are utilised, the risk profile as well as the investment needs of the various clients within their practice. Once we have these insights, we can have a far more meaningful impact with regards to offering investment solutions and advice that suits the needs of the IFA practice and the ultimate objectives of their clients. This in-depth book analysis is a vital step to understanding how our DFM can best work with an IFA to provide and co-create an array of solutions such as: flagship model solutions, custom-built model solutions or pure investment consulting services.
We are looking to create practice prosperity by taking away all non-core functions from an IFA. This includes reporting (fund fact sheets and commentary), investment research and best practice notes. We provide quarterly investment committee/report back meetings to our clients and equip them with all the necessary insights and content to better service their clients and focus purely on the advice process.
Performance imperatives
Investing shouldn’t be one-dimensional. Our multi-management approach blends multiple asset managers across various markets, asset classes and management styles into a single portfolio. This added diversification and risk management aims to deliver consistent and competitive performance over time, to deliver superior long-term investment outcomes, with as little stress and anxiety as possible
for investors.
Contact details:
Gielie De Swardt
- Telephone: 082 956 7090
- Email: swardtg@alexforbes.com
- Website: www.investmentsolutions.alexforbes.com
