What makes your business distinctive?
Hollard IPS’s strength is its flexibility and depth. We offer a fit-for-purpose implemented consulting approach, combining institutional advisory (FAIS Category I) with discretionary investment management (FAIS Category II) in one fully integrated model to tailor solutions for IFAs with either Cat I or Cat II licences, full discretion, or a hybrid approach across the entire investment value chain.
We are structured to support advisors with institutional clients who require bespoke, multi-strategy solutions. From initial strategy reviews to ongoing governance – covering return objectives, risk budgets, SAA/TAA bands, IPS drafting, manager selection, portfolio construction and performance monitoring – we enable advisors to respond quickly to market opportunities while mitigating risk effectively.
Who is your ideal client?
Our ideal partners are IFAs who:
- Operate as general practitioners with assets under advice of R100-million to R300-million and want to realise the growth potential of their investment advice through an aligned DFM partnership by outsourcing specialist and time-consuming investment functions.
- Require specialist solutions such as Shariah-compliant, hedge fund-focused, offshore-focused or ETF-based portfolio solutions.
- Service institutional clients needing institutional-grade, bespoke services.
- Seek to establish CIS unit trusts and need research-led multi-manager expertise for SAA, TAA, risk management and hedging, manager research and ratings, fee calibrations and negotiations and portfolio construction, reporting and implementation.
Our DFM capability does not serve direct retail investors. Our services are designed for financial advisors and wealth managers who value outsourcing investment management to focus on client relationships and financial planning.
What role do you believe DFMs play in improving client outcomes?
DFMs bring institutional-quality expertise, robust governance and scalability to the advice process. By delegating portfolio management, advisors gain the freedom to focus on their core disciplines and what truly matters – client goals, holistic planning and delivering higher-quality advice while driving practice growth.
Some argue DFMs are just another layer of costs for clients. Your response?
We believe cost matters – but value matters more. It’s about striking a balance which is effectively a cost-adjusted value. Most DFMs provide access to professional investment processes and access to institutional-grade resources, bespoke solutions, continuous monitoring and oversight that advisors cannot easily replicate. In our case, our internal research provides an extra layer of governance through regularly updated and transparent manager strategy and responsible investment ratings, an investment philosophy that seeks to strike a healthy balance between short- and long-term objectives and bespoke solutions that integrate the IFA’s advice process. When you factor in all the benefits you far outweigh the additional layer of fees.
What are the biggest challenges you see facing DFMs in the next decade?
The COFI bill will promote a principles-based, outcomes-focused approach that requires financial institutions to demonstrate a client-centric culture, governance structure and fair treatment standards. Clients and advisors will also expect greater value for money.
Digital platforms and AI-driven solutions will continue to reshape data generation, information processing speed and portfolio decision-making and client engagements. The rise of AI is set to disrupt traditional asset class definitions and compositions. New asset classes may emerge, while concentration risks could persist as AI-related investments gain momentum.
If central banks continue increasing their gold reserves and crypto platforms become more mainstream, retail investors may demand greater exposure to these alternative assets within their portfolios. Younger investors expect personalisation, ESG integration, real-time insights and even crypto considerations.
About CONLIAS MANCUVENI |
Conlias Mancuveni leads the implemented consulting capability at Hollard Investment Managers, serving as the lead portfolio manager for bespoke solutions while overseeing the full investment consulting process. With over 19 years of experience in portfolio management, he brings deep expertise and strategic insight to investment decision-making across the entire value chain.
