Plan sponsors may wish to consider whether this investment news has any implications for the investment options available within their plans. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada purchases units of the fund listed below. It is established as a segregated fund under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada).

Effective October 31, 2021, Bill Tilford, VP and Senior Portfolio Manager, Quantitative Investments Team, retired. Tilford was a named portfolio manager (“PM”) on the PH&N Fossil Fuel Free Low Volatility Canadian Equity fund (“the Fund”).

Tilford’s primary contributions were to set up the Quantitative Investments Team (“the Team”), build the original models, and to help design the investment strategy. Jaco van der Walt, VP and Global Head of Quantitative Research & Investments, continues to lead the Team. Van der Walt joined the Team in 2019 and has 24 years of investment experience. The Team under van der Walt consists of four portfolio managers and five research professionals. Two traders and six systems developers further support the Team. Julian Douglass continues to lead the Team’s research efforts.

From a portfolio management perspective, Norman So continues as the lead PM of the Fund. So has 17 years of investment experience and helped to build the Team and strategies alongside Tilford. He, alongside Tilford and Oliver McMahon, have been responsible for the Team’s portfolio management decisions. Tilford had been less involved in portfolio management of the Team investment strategies in recent years.

There will be no changes to the Fund’s investment strategy or process.

Sun Life GRS Investment Solutions’ view

We met with van der Walt and So in February to discuss the impact of Tilford’s departure. We also got an update on the Team and strategy. We view the departure of Tilford as a loss given his tenure and experience. However, we feel that the Team remains well staffed and experienced. The Team also remains well led under the direction of van der Walt. So’s continuity on the Fund and in the Team also reassures us. We believe there shouldn’t be any material impact on the day-to-day management of the Fund. We will continue to monitor the Fund in upcoming quarters and will provide updates as necessary.

Questions? 

Please contact your Sun Life Group Retirement Services representative.