Kerr Neilson

Kerr Neilson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on 17 October 1949. Neilson first demonstrated an inclination for a future in investment management when he bought his first stock at the age of 13.[4] In 1971, Neilson graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town.[5] His comprehension of commerce, originated from a family steeped in invention dating from the Industrial revolution in Scotland. James Beaumont Neilson was a Scottish inventor whose hot-blast process greatly increased the efficiency of smelting iron.

Neilson trained as an investment analyst under John Evans in the pensions department of Cortaulds, London.[6] After returning to South Africa in 1972, he became head of research at Anderson Wilson Stockbrokers. He then moved to Australia ten years later to join the funds management arm of Bankers Trust Australia, in May 1983.

Kerr Neilson's track record is estimated at +17.1% p.a. over 40 years (1984 – 2023). An original investment of $10,000 thus turns into $5,445,189 by year 40 or equates to a 545x return on one's original investment. The MSCI Total Return Index in AUD over the same time period, has delivered +9.4% p.a, highlighting Kerr's material out-performance of +7.6% p.a. for 40 years. The track record puts Kerr Neilson among an elite tier of global investors, with track records[14] in excess of 35 years or more. All calculations are in fiscal years, include income and capital, apply reinvestment and are before fees.

The 40-year track record is calculated using a period that spans four portfolios:

• 1984 – 1993, BT Select Markets Fund, +22.7% p.a.;[15]
• 1994 – MLC Platinum Global Fund, +19.2% absolute 6 months return, used as the proxy for the entire year;[16]
• 1995 – 2015, Platinum International Fund, +14.2% p.a.;[17] and
• 2016 – 2023, Family Office, Argyle Fund, +17.5% p.a [18]

The remarkable performance of other funds managed by Mr Neilson under the BT Selects Market umbrella, like the (1) and (2) below suggests a high degree of conceptual and market agility

1. BT Select Markets Imputation Fund, +18.6% p.a. 1986 to 1992; and
2. BT Select Markets LATAM Fund, +79.8% p.a., between 1991 and 1993.

What is remarkable is that Neilson out-performed materially in down markets. During the Australia fiscal year of 1988, the BT Select Imputations Fund, achieved +39.8%. By comparison the Australian All Ordinaries Index fell 13.3% [19] (The fiscal year of 1988 including the 20 October 1987, fall of 25%, its largest one-day loss ever). In another difficult period in global markets post the tech boom of 2000, the Platinum International Fund rose by 59% from 2000 to 2003, whilst the MSCI fell by 31% in total.

Over 40 years, Neilson's performance has had few down periods; those were notably in 2011-12 and the 2022 fiscal year, when the Argyle Fund dropped 2.8% yet the MSCI fell 11.9%.

The Neilson Foundation was established in 2007 to support both the arts and charities that work towards social cohesion. The foundation was created from funds raised by the flotation of Platinum Asset Management. Since inception, the foundation has disbursed over $150 million.[13] The current value of the Neilson Foundation is in excess of AU$260 million.

The foundation favours innovative initiatives in two principal areas:

• Those that improve accessibility to the arts, with the aim of enriching cultural diversity within Australian society; and
• Those organisations that assist individuals and communities facing extreme disadvantage. Programmes that help vulnerable youth, migrants, domestic violence, or those with mental health problems.

A list of over 40 organization recipients is referenced on the Neilson Foundation website [20]

Kerr Neilson continues to manage the funds of the foundation, with his traditional approach.

Neilson and his former wife, Judith, divorced in 2015. They have two children.[21] In 2009 Kerr and Judith Neilson established and opened the White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale Sydney to display Judith's collection of Chinese contemporary art. Judith accumulated the collection from quarterly visits to art studios across China, since 2000. Judith has one of the world's most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art.[22] The White Rabbit collection has been reported in many publications (the SMH, Herald, and AFR) as a collection without comparison.[23]

Two booklets have been published by Platinum Asset Management, titled Reflections on Investment and Curious Investor Behaviour. In compiling the booklets, he explains his reflections from his own experiences. In the foreword Neilson says that investing leans heavily on common sense, which is both a prop and a hindrance to the learning process.

In 2007, Kerr Neilson floated 20% of Platinum Asset Management on the ASX.[5] The majority of the shares Neilson retained (57%) were valued at A$2.9 billion and made Neilson both a billionaire and one of Australia's wealthiest people.[5] Neilson was listed in Forbes' lists of Australia's 50 richest people and Australian billionaires from 2010 until 2019.[5] In 2023, his net worth was assessed at US$960 million, according to Forbes.[4]

• Platinum Asset Management website