If you, like us, were left scratching your head after Platinum Asset Management’s February 29 market release ominously titled “PTM announces turnaround is required and underway”, here’s some detail on what’s going on behind the scenes.Co-founder and co-chief investment officer Andrew Clifford, who previously managed 45 per cent of Platinum Asia, has ceded direct influence on the $2 billion-plus strategy, which has been taken over by Cameron Robertson.
The only exception is the circa $6 billion Platinum International strategy, the firm’s largest fund and in operation since 1995. Here, co-chief investment officers, Clay Smolinksi and Andrew Clifford, will operate under a more traditional co-PM structure – aka mutually agreeing on investment decisions, instead of running their own slices.Of note, should the two lock horns on an issue, Smolinski – younger of the two – will have the final decision-making power. .
Lastly, Platinum Global Transition Fund – launched with high hopes just a few years ago – is under review at the firm. Its two portfolio managers, Liam Farlow and Jodie Bannan, have already left.