Ten challenges facing global asset managers
By Mark Battersby, 6 Jan 16
In the latest in a series of viewpoints from prominent industry figures, Nigel Watson, sales director of VAM Funds, sets out what he sees as the key challenges and opportunities for global asset managers in 2016 and beyond.
Regulation
If an asset manager is not compliant with regulations in some jurisdictions then it can have implications on its ability to freely promote its funds. Global asset managers operate in numerous jurisdictions and so are subject to a wide range of different rules, which can be challenging. Added to which, regulation rarely stands still; staying on top of it is a full-time job in itself.
Asset managers must also support their distribution channels and networks on regulation. As regulators seek to raise professional standards, advisers are under pressure to be more accountable for their recommendations, the decision-making and ‘reasons why’ behind them.
For instance, where most advisers in the past chose investments and built client portfolios themselves, there is a trend towards outsourcing this to professional investment managers.
Our multi-asset VAM Discretionary Funds range, run in partnership with Close Brothers Asset Management, is one of the ways we are seeking to help advisers cope with this aspect of regulatory change by providing a suitable solution.
Tags: Nigel Watson | UCITS | VAM
