Willis Towers Watson : launches high active share fund

LONDON, 20 June 2016 - Willis Towers Watson has launched an equity fund for institutional investors which contains the top unconstrained-equity ideas of the world's best stock pickers. The new fund, called Global Equity Focus Fund (GEFF), follows five other pooled funds - including a diversified multi-asset fund (now with a ten-year track record), two liquid alternative funds, and an alternative credit fund - which wrap Willis Towers Watson's best investment ideas.

The new fund, which provides daily liquidity, comprises the top 10 to 15 stock picks from eight top-rated investment managers with risk managed at the portfolio level.

Paul Berriman, Global Head of Willis Towers Watson's funds business, said: 'Our new equity focus fund is specifically designed to provide institutional investors with targeted access to the world's best equity ideas with high levels of transparency of the underlying investments, at competitive fees. This is consistent with our vision to help all our clients - whether advisory or delegated - to achieve the best net-of-fees returns for the right level of risk and, if the vehicles don't exist, we'll build them.'

The company's funds provide portfolio construction, risk management and manager-selection decisions, while using best-in-class asset managers for underlying security selection and trading strategies.

David Shapiro, GEFF portfolio manager at Willis Towers Watson said: 'When looking at what was available to those clients wishing to invest in equities, we were dispirited by the preponderance of expensive index-hugger-type products. So we built something very different. We would assert that this high active share fund, offered at such a competitive price, is a world first. While not for every institutional investor, we are confident that many disillusioned institutional equity investors, both large and small, will recognise the opportunity presented by this approach.'

The company's six pooled funds have total assets under management of around US$5bn.

Notes to editors

This media release is not an offer of securities for sale in the US. Investment returns can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future investment returns.

About Willis Towers Watson Investment

Willis Towers Watson's Investment business is focused on creating financial value for institutional investors through its expertise in risk assessment, strategic asset allocation, fiduciary management and investment manager selection. It has over 900 associates worldwide, assets under advisory of over US$2.3 trillion and around US$75 billion of assets under management.

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW ) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 39,000 employees in more than 120 territories. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas - the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential.