Mercer NZ achieves almost 60 per cent AUM growth in three years, with $1bn NZD in new mandates secured in 2021Demand for global equities, single sector funds and private markets growingMercer’s investment manager research and multi-manager portfolios a differentiator in the market for new clients
An increasingly volatile investment environment and the complexities of modern portfolios has driven greater demand for
external investment consulting and management among investors, contributing to an almost 60 per cent increase in Mercer
New Zealand’s assets under management over the past three years. The firm announced today that it had reached a new
milestone of $10 billion NZD in New Zealand, with $1 billion NZD in new mandates secured in 2021 alone.
Ronan McCabe, Mercer New Zealand’s Chief Investment Officer, said New Zealand’s asset owners were looking for greater
support to implement their investment programs and achieve their investment goals, with equities front of mind for many.
“Investors – including institutional asset owners, iwi and foundation clients, family offices and retail members – are
coming to us for greater support in navigating the challenges of a difficult economic outlook. They’re looking for
expertise in implementing their investment strategies, with a keen interest in our suite of equity funds, socially
responsible global equities in particular,” Mr McCabe said.
“We’ve also seen growing demand for single sector funds, with clients seeking dedicated allocations to sectors like
emerging markets and listed infrastructure, in addition to global equities. Our private markets capabilities is also
attracting investors, including Private Debt where we recently won a mandate in New Zealand to invest in our Global
Private Debt fund.
“Ultimately, clients are looking for diversification, enhanced return opportunities and inflation protection in the
current environment, and they’re placing enormous value in our investment process of building multi-manager portfolios.
With our market-leading research in investment managers, global investment knowledge and scale, we’re able to construct
portfolios that blend together best in class investment managers for local investors,” he said.
Mercer recently announced its global assets under management had reached $380 billion USD.
Mr McCabe said New Zealand’s institutional and retail investors were making it clear that investing responsibly was more
important than ever for their portfolios.
“Demand for responsible investment options continues to grow. Investors are turning to us for our global expertise in
responsible investing with ESG becoming a primary focus as they seek to align their portfolios with their values, while
still securing sustainable returns,” Mr McCabe said.
Mercer New Zealand CEO Martin Lewington said the firm’s rapid growth was an excellent result for clients and customers.
“We’re always seeking to leverage our scale to deliver better value for our products and services for New Zealand’s
institutional and retail investors,” Mr Lewington said.
“We’re delighted to have hit $10 billion NZD in assets under management and look forward to continuing to help New
Zealanders reach their investment objectives, whether that be building an individual’s retirement savings or achieving
the goals of large-scale asset owners,” he said.
About Mercer
Mercer believes in building brighter futures by redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement and investment outcomes,
and unlocking real health and well-being. Mercer’s approximately 25,000 employees are based in 43 countries and the firm
operates in 130 countries. Mercer is a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world’s leading professional services
firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with 76,000 colleagues and annual revenue of over $17 billion. Through
its market-leading businesses including Marsh, Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman, Marsh McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit
www.mercer.co.nz. Follow Mercer on Facebook and LinkedIn
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