Omnis Investments Limited (Omnis), the investment arm of The Openwork Partnership, which has more than £10 billion of assets under management, has appointed leading bond manager Western Asset Management to manage its Omnis Global Bond Fund.
The appointment to run the £604 million fund from November 3 2021 follows a detailed selection process and is part of Omnis’ ongoing monitoring and governance of its range of funds. Omnis’ role as the Authorised Corporate Director enables it to appoint new managers on its funds when it believes it is in the best interest of investors, and can do so without advisers or their clients needing to take any action.
Western Asset Management, a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton, has a long history of actively managing global bond portfolios for clients across the globe. Their investment philosophy focuses on long-term fundamental value investing, using a broad range of diversified strategies. This approach has been tested across various economic and credit cycles and has delivered strong risk-adjusted returns.
The Omnis Global Bond Fund will be supported by a deep bench of investment professionals, including Gordon Brown, Co-Head of Global Portfolios and Richard Booth, Portfolio Manager. The team is fully integrated within and supported by Western Asset Management’s broader investment team, which comprises 132 investment professionals across seven investment offices and five continents. This gives them a unique perspective in managing global aggregate portfolios—with strength and depth across all major fixed-income investment markets—and avoids any bias towards one market or another.
Robert Jeffree, Chief Investment Officer of Omnis, said: “Western Asset Management are fixed-income specialists with a very strong track record and a long history of investing in global fixed-income markets. ”
“We are excited to be working with a new investment manager and are confident Western Asset Management will deliver value for advisers and their clients invested in the Omnis Global Bond Fund.”
Gordon Brown, Co-Head of Global Portfolios, Western Asset Management said: “We are delighted to partner with Omnis to manage the Global Bond Fund. Managing funds customised to our clients’ specific requirements such as the Omnis Global Bond Fund is one of our greatest strengths. Using our collaborative approach, we believe we offer a significant competitive advantage, building deep and long-lasting relationships and striving to exceed each client’s needs, expectations and objectives. We look forward to our partnership with Omnis and their investors over the coming years.”