Sanlam Investment Holdings has announced its plans to acquire an approximate 69% stake in Catalyst Fund Managers, a specialist in managing listed real estate investments both locally and internationally for retail and institutional investors.
The acquisition is in pursuit of diversifying and strengthening Sanlam Investments’ current asset management capabilities, providing the company with the opportunity to partner with a credible and well-respected business. The partnership will allow Catalyst Fund Managers to remain single-minded in their focus to deliver the best outcomes for their clients, whilst supported by Sanlam’s operational and retail distribution strength. The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Catalyst Fund Managers was founded in 2001, originally focusing on the management of South African listed real estate portfolios and in 2005, the group started developing its global capability. In 2007, the company extended its offering by including the management of global listed real estate portfolios.
CEO of Catalyst Fund Managers, Michael Arbuthnot comments: “Catalyst Fund Managers executive management and staff support the change in shareholding … Our passion is managing assets in the listed real estate sector. This transaction will allow us to do that even better.”
Catalyst Fund Managers Group founder Andre Stadler agrees: “This opportunity allows us to strengthen our owner managed and investment-led culture. It extends shareholding to a broader management team to ensure retention of our talent and increases aligned investment in our funds.”
“Catalyst Fund Managers has been a consistent performer in the listed property market for many years, which resonates with the Sanlam story” says Nersan Naidoo, CEO of Sanlam Investments.
“For both Sanlam and Catalyst objectives is to identify value opportunities for our clients without talking on undue risk. It provides our clients with a compelling asset class as we search for alternative sources of performance.”
In addition, Sanlam Investment Management Holdings will acquire a 100% stake in the Irish business, CIG Fund Management Company Limited to complement the Sanlam Group’s international investment management platform, Sanlam Asset Management Ireland, which manages funds domiciled in Ireland. This transaction is subject to certain conditions including Irish regulatory approvals.
