RE: Institutional HoldingsGM, very nice find on Acuity Investment Mgmt. I googled it and found some very positive background.
https://www.meritas.ca/news/MSE1083_25.shtml
(Second from last paragraph)
Here is background on Acuity MF team, note emphasis on technical expertise by sector, and 100% ownership of Acuity by Mgmt and investment professionals.
Social/Environmental orientation for stock selection and very good performance track record.
Looks like we have a mid to long term oriented investor in Ivernia with the 'right stuff'. I like it.
About Acuity
BACKGROUND
Established in 1991 by Ian O. Ihnatowycz, Acuity is located in Toronto, now manages over $2.9 billion in assets and has evolved to include over 50 employees. Our investment team consists of 10 investment professionals. In addition to offering a broad range of traditional domestic and global investment products and capabilities, Acuity manages "sustainable" investment mandates for socially responsible investors.
Over the past five years, Acuity has made substantial investments in technologies and senior/intermediate level investment professionals to develop a multi-billion dollar investment platform. In addition to CFA designations and business degrees, our senior investment professionals have strong technical credentials with related work experience. These attributes give Acuity a competitive edge in understanding and assessing securities and the sustainability of their future revenue and earnings streams. Portfolio research is conducted on a sectoral basis, with each manager and analyst being responsible for certain sectors across countries and asset classes. Our investment team identifies themes, sectors and securities that meet our time proven selection criteria. All mandates are managed on a team basis.
PRODUCT OFFERINGS
Acuity offers segregated accounts, pooled funds and mutual funds in four separate product lines. The traditionally managed Acuity family of pooled funds was launched in 1993 and offers broad diversification across a wide spectrum of domestic and international asset classes. The Acuity Mutual Funds were launched in 1998 as a sister family of funds to the pooled funds, and are targeted at a retail client base. The Acuity Clean Environment Mutual Funds, available since 1992, pioneered the concept of sustainable development investing in Canada. Finally, the Acuity Social Values Mutual Funds have become best-in-class alternatives in the socially responsible investing arena.
Acuity's "sustainable" investment programs incorporate Environmental Governance, Business Practices and Compliance/Regulatory posture within the investment decision process where they are material to financial performance. Customized "sustainable" investment strategies are available to institutional investors.
OWNERSHIP AND COMPENSATION
Incorporated in Ontario, Acuity is 100% owned by its key employees and investment professionals. Competitive compensation is a key part of our recruitment and retention strategy. Key professionals are offered a base salary, bonuses and if merited, equity participation.
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS
With the objective of developing a multi-billion dollar management platform, over the past five years Acuity has made substantial investments in systems technologies and in senior and intermediate level investment professionals.
Total number of investment professionals 10
Portfolio Managers 4
Analysts 4
Trader 1
Service 1
Name Area/Position Date Started at Acuity Years of Experience
Investment Professionals
Ian Ihnatowycz*, BSc, MBA, CFA President, CIO 1991 21
Hugh McCauley*, B.Eng, MBA, CFA Lead Portfolio Manager, Director, Equities 1996 11
David Stonehouse*, B.Eng, MBA, CFA Portfolio Manager 1998 7
Warren Fenton*, B. Comm., CFA Portfolio Manager 1999 11
Martin Grosskopf, MES, MBA Investment Analyst & Manager of Sustainability Research 2000 9
Lisa Abraham-Hall, B.Comm. Trader 2001 10
George Trapkov, BA Investment Analyst 1999 5
Shang Bell, BSc, CFA Investment Analyst 2003 12
Scott Chan Investment Analyst 2004 -
Marketing and Client Service
Paul Love, B. Comm., CA Senior VP 2002 12
*Investment Committee Member
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
Acuity's investment philosophy is consistent across all asset classes: we purchase reasonably valued securities with appealing growth characteristics to hold over the mid to long-term for capital appreciation. Equities are held for upside potential, whereas bonds stabilize portfolio returns, provide liquidity and generate a secure and consistent income stream. Acuity has also been a leader in employing income trusts as a complement to the two mainstream asset classes over the last decade.