The US based funds management firm Ariel Investments announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region with its first offshore office to be established in Sydney. The firm has appointed Australian institutional investment veteran Ian M. Webber to lead its growing presence across the region.
Ariel Investments specialises in managing all-cap global and international equity portfolios, as well as U.S. small- and mid-cap equities strategies. The firm will initially market the Ariel Global product to Australian and Asian institutional investors.
Ariel Investments brings a patient, long-term approach to investing to the Australian marketplace, employing the firm’s motto, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Ariel differentiates itself from other equity firms by conducting research with an independent, often contrarian lens. It seeks to identify and own quality businesses that are misunderstood and mispriced. Moreover, there is a strong focus on risk management. The Ariel Global product is benchmark agnostic and typically invests in 75 to 100 stocks, with a high concentration across the top 10 holdings.
Ariel Investments is a boutique manager, wherein all employees hold an ownership stake in the business.
Ian Webber, Senior Vice President, Head of Asia Pacific, said the firm’s commitment to giving back and its distinctive approach to generating superior long-term investment outcomes would form key planks of his drive to build Ariel’s reputation in the region.
“I am excited to introduce Ariel’s investment process to institutional investors throughout the region,” he said. “The process is truly unique—most importantly it has delivered strong results for investors across different market cycles, in both absolute and relative terms.”
Mr Webber brings to Ariel more than 15 years’ experience in the funds management industry, having worked with firms such as J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup Asset Management and AXA Rosenberg Investment Management. He was most recently country head and director of sales, Asia Pacific, for Artio Global Investors.
