Global equity manager eyes advised retail market

The firm, which has $72 billion in assets under management, has hired Sarah Bunning, who joins from the role of marketing director at Capital Group where she worked for seven years.

In her new role at the South African firm, Bunning will lead all marketing and public relations activities in Australia and join the Orbis Australia executive committee.

She will jointly report to Clay Hagland, global head of marketing, and Eric Marais, head of clients - Australia.

With experience across the adviser, wholesale and institutional channel across her time at Capital Group, AMP and Perpetual, Orbis said the firm is specifically keen to utilise her adviser experience as it broadens beyond its institutional base.

Jason Ciccolallo, managing director of Orbis Australia, said: “Since entering the Australian market over 20 years ago, we have built long-standing relationships with some of Australia’s largest institutional investors.

“Our next phase of growth extends our reach to advised retail investors, where we are already seeing strong appetite for our Global Equity, Emerging Markets Equity and Real Return strategies. Sarah’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to helping Australian investors understand the unique role Orbis can play in a portfolio, especially those seeking genuine diversification.”

Bunning said: “I’m thrilled to join the Orbis team at such a pivotal time of growth, where marketing will play a key role in driving greater understanding of the unique benefits Orbis’ contrarian philosophy offers Australian investors.”

In recent years, asset managers have come under pressure from the threat of low-cost passive players and the move by superannuation funds to internalise their investment, which has led to a loss of institutional mandates.

As a result, they are looking for alternative ways to increase their profits whether that’s by launching exchange-traded funds, adding alternative funds or reaching out to the intermediary market.

In EY’s 2025 Global Wealth and Asset Management Outlook, it stated: “Firms are offering more products to retail investors, stepping up their focus on private wealth and incorporating new features into existing strategies.

“Broadening and deepening investment offerings is a crucial strategic priority for 2025, especially given the backdrop of unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfers, the rise of new profiles such as female investors and the continued democratisation of alternative assets.”