Allan Gray (investment management company)

Allan Gray is an investment management company from South Africa.[1] The company also has offices in Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini, and maintains a close relationship with sister companies Orbis Investment Management and Allan Gray Australia. Its clients include institutional investors, individual investors, insurance companies, trusts, foundations and foreign institutions.

Allan Gray
Founded1973 (1973)
FounderAllan W.B Gray
Area served
South Africa, Namibia and Botswana
Key people
Mahesh Cooper (Chief Operating Officer), Duncan Artus (Chief Investment Officer), Ian Liddle (Chairman)
ProductsRetail unit trust products, Retirement products, Institutional segregated and pooled products
AUMR322.5 billion (31 December, 2021)
Websitehttps://www.allangray.co.za

History

Allan Gray Investment Counsel was founded in October 1973 by Allan W.B Gray. The firm won its first client in 1974.[2] In 1989, Gray set up Orbis Investment Management, an international investment management company.[3]

The firm was incorporated and changed its name to Allan Gray Limited in 1992.[4] In 1996, the firm opened an office in Windhoek, Namibia.[5] In 1998, the firm started offering retail investment products.[6] An office was established in Gaborone, Botswana in 2004.[7]

Operations

Allan Gray invests in assets across the African continent and employs over 1,000 employees.[8] The company's Cape Town headquarters are in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront. Silo One, the headquarter building, was the first in South Africa to be given a six-star green rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa.[9]

Investment offering

Retail investors can invest in Allan Gray’s selection of unit trusts through a range of investment products.[10] The investment manager currently offers basic unit trust investments, tax-free investments, offshore investments, retirement annuities, preservation funds, living annuities and endowments.

Institutional investors are able to invest in unit trusts, life pooled portfolios and segregated portfolios, depending on the type of institution and the size of their investment.

Allan Gray also offers group savings solutions for employers through the Allan Gray Umbrella Retirement Fund  and the Allan Gray Group Retirement Annuity.

Social Investment

Allan Gray's social investment efforts are directed towards the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and E Squared, which aim to educate potential entrepreneurs and provide them with financing. The Foundation is funded by an annual donation of 5% of Allan Gray Proprietary Limited's pre-tax profit[11] and a $150 million endowment from Allan W.B Gray.[12] E Squared owns 20% of Allan Gray Limited.[13]

Ownership

A controlling interest in Allan Gray is held in perpetuity by Allan & Gill Gray Foundation. Other shareholders include past and present employees and E Squared. Allan & Gill Gray Foundation is designed to exist in perpetuity to ensure that the distributable profits are ultimately devoted exclusively to philanthropy and to promote the commercial success, continuity and independence of the Allan Gray business.[14]

References
  1. Carrington, Damian; Barr, Caelainn. "Coal crash: how pension funds face huge risk from climate change". The Guardian.
  2. Nsehe, Mfonobong. "The 10 Greatest Living Business Leaders In Africa Today". Forbes.
  3. Christy, John. "Unsung outperformers". Forbes.
  4. "About Us". Allan Gray.
  5. "Allan Gray Namibia brings new investment offerings". New Era.
  6. Heystek, Magnus. "85 billion shades of Gray". Moneyweb.
  7. "Allan Gray Botswana offers SA unit trusts". Mmegi.
  8. Shari, Michael. "A Top African Hedge Fund Is Buying Markets Others Are Deserting". Barrons.
  9. "SA's brightest green stars are honoured". Green Building Council SA.
  10. "All investment options". Allan Gray. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  11. "Foundation Partners". Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Archived from the original on 2015-08-01. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
  12. Nsehe, Mfonobong. "Five Notable African Philanthropists". Forbes.
  13. "Background". E2. Archived from the original on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
  14. "Transforming our business" (PDF). allangray.co.za. 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
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