Getting to Know...Anthony Edmonds

Anthony Edmonds started off working in a couple of the big funds management firms and now he is building up his own, not insignificant, business Implemented Investment Solutions. Here you can meet him and find out more about what he is doing.

Friday, March 20th 2015, 10:48AM

Who are you and what do you do?
I am Anthony Edmonds and I am the managing director of Implemented Investment Solutions. We are the manager and issuer of the Russell Investment Funds, which were established in late 2011 - and grown to over $800 million today.

How did you get into the funds management industry?
At university I had no idea what I wanted to do, and was struggling with maths, statistics and finance. From memory I had got 15% in statistics, which wasn’t too flash given it was an open book test! I accidentally enrolled in a paper on investment management and loved it. Suddenly I was doing statistics that actually had real life application, and it turned out I was actually really good at it. I then changed my focus to learning about investment management and knew that I wanted to work in the industry. My first real job was with Southpac Investment Management thanks to Rob Walker and Graeme Kershaw.

For many years you had been with large fund managers, what made you set up your own firm?
I had roughly 5 years with Southpac, before working at AMP Capital for around 10 years. The training these businesses gave me was great, but all along I knew I wanted to run my own business. In around 2009 yet another restructure provided the opportunity to take the leap out of corporate life, so I jumped. I have loved setting up a business, as I have had to learn all sorts of new and challenging things.

You are pretty keen on rather adventurous sports, does that need for thrills come through in your funds management work?
Investment management is more about managing and removing risk. However, in a way I think there is a link, as I put my early success in funds management down to being competitive. I found something I was good at, and went hard to win things like business pitches. When I got into mountain biking and trail running I discovered a couple of things that I was moderately good at, so I jumped in boots and all. I love ripping on my mountain bike with my mates before work. For me mountain biking has made living in Wellington absolutely awesome, as we have incredible mountain biking right in and around the city.

If there is one thing you would like to change about the funds management industry, what would it be?
People using scare tactics and forecasts to sell funds. Too often I find myself listening to conference speakers making forecasts and market predictions that conveniently support whatever product they are selling. This should be knocked on the head!

What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Over the years lots of people have told me “don’t be a dick”. I’ve gone on to use this rule in situations like coaching rugby and also at work. When you are dealing with a complex issue it is amazing how often the “don’t be a dick” rule throws instant clarity on a situation. Embracing diversity of thought is another important thing I have picked up on. Andrew Brockway is brilliant to work with because he thinks about the world differently to me, which is really powerful. He is seriously clever!

Outside of work what do you do?
Ride a mountain bike, run mountain trails (I have nearly done all the Great Walks in the last 15 months), coach kids’ rugby, and spend far too much time at Lyall Bay supporting my kids’ surf life saving team. Currently I am working on a Council sponsored project looking at the economic benefit associated with further developing Wellington’s mountain biking.

What’s one thing people may be surprised to know about you?
I love helping people find jobs. This year I helped one friend get a job in an IT firm, and another one get a job at a brewery. I get a real kick out of matching good people up with cool companies. I am also pretty handy with a fly rod.

If you weren’t in this job what would you be doing?
I love the idea of teaching, or working in the tourism sector. I get more than a little bit jealous when I talk to friends who get to ride mountain bikes for a living. I love the investment industry though, and there are still lots of things I want to achieve!

Tags: Anthony Edmonds Getting to Know Implemented Investment Solutions