Power plant fields Western Cape
ABOUT US

Making a Difference in Our Industry and Investors’ Lives

At Futuregrowth, we protect and grow investor savings through skill and diligence, while being a force for good in the markets and environments in which we operate.

The Evolution of Futuregrowth

Our story is inextricably linked to the story of the new South Africa. When millions of South Africans queued to cast their vote for the first time, countless communities and townships were in dire need of social and infrastructure development to make up for decades of neglect. The incoming government faced a daunting task.

Against this backdrop, Futuregrowth started in 1994 as an empowerment and developmental product within Southern Asset Management, with a small suite of investment funds focused on social development and empowerment. As such, it was the first socially-oriented fund to be launched in South Africa.

Our vision was to create a sustainable channel for pension funds to invest in national development and disadvantaged communities. Our reason to exist was to concurrently serve investors and play a meaningful role in South Africa’s transition into a successful post-apartheid nation.

We were outliers (one could say “disruptors”) at the time. Most of the investment community thought it would be impossible to make decent returns from “doing good”. There was a huge amount of nervousness around the risks of doing business with entities and individuals in areas that had previously been excluded from the mainstream apartheid economy.

With a great deal of courage, skill, creativity and diligence, the small Futuregrowth team was determined to prove the naysayers wrong.

First and foremost, clients’ pension fund money had to be managed safely and responsibly – and, where possible, make a positive difference to the lives of the clients and their families and serve the nation’s development.

In 1995 the Futuregrowth Structured Empowerment Fund was launched - one of the earliest initiatives by the private sector to facilitate the transfer of meaningful equity share ownership to black South Africans.

At this stage BEE equity funding was an unknown arena. Nonetheless, within 18 months of its inception the fund had attracted investor contributions of more than R1 billion (in 1995 money).

Just as the concept of BEE evolved, so did the nature of BEE investment and developmental finance models. And so did the style, offerings and attributes of asset managers evolve, with valuable learnings and wisdom gained along the way.

What We Offer Our Investors Today

The unswerving belief that it is an honour and a privilege to look after your savings. This is what we are here to do. This is the heart and soul of this business

A fiduciary mindset that means we have a duty of loyalty and a duty of care to our clients, even if this comes at a cost, because we are in the trust business. This trust has two key elements: our intentions and our delivery.

We have over 50 investment products that have been providing reliable, consistent returns – some of them for up to 25 years. This means we have built considerable institutional knowledge and experience, and a solid track record of performance across various sectors.

Scale and profitability: Today, we manage around R192 billion (US$11 billion*) of clients’ assets across a wide range of fixed interest, developmental and specialist funds, cementing our role as leaders in the asset management industry in South Africa. 

*December 2022

Our longevity and track record in the industry have enabled us to build honest, direct and strong client relations, facilitating open collaborative conversations, problem solving, and a sharing of ideas. This enables us to remain relevant and build alternative value-adding offerings.

Throughout the years, our determination to protect and grow our investors’ savings has not wavered. This sense of purpose is based on our belief that investors can make a positive difference in society while earning sound investment performance. This has inspired us to pioneer development funds in sectors such as infrastructure, rural and township retail property, agriculture, renewable energy, and equity finance to innovative deals like low-income housing construction and tech start-ups

We are reminded of our entrepreneurial DNA and trailblazing spirit, prompted by our desire to change SA and the lives of our clients for the better. We are in the process of revitalising that status and focussing energy on supporting “disruptive” businesses that have a promising future. These businesses have the potential to benefit many more of our citizens and are typically more affordable and accessible than their conventional counterparts. Our investments also provide the opportunity to spread South African ingenuity globally.

To further protect our clients’ interests, and as a responsible investor, we will continue to engage with our industry and investee companies on sustainability issues, hosting or participating in webinars on corporate governance, investor activism, reform of the energy sector, the country’s ailing fiscal position, whistleblowing and more. Futuregrowth is well known as a sustainable ethical business.

Our Shareholding Structure

Group Structure

*African Women Chartered Accountants Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd

Our History & Milestones

Wheat Fields
2022

African Women’s Chartered Accountants Investment Holdings (AIH) acquires a minority stake in Futuregrowth. We achieved our BEE Level 1 empowerment target and announced our intention to launch the High Growth Development Equity Fund.

Wind Power Station
2019

Futuregrowth reaches R194 billion in assets under management.

Fields
2018

We launched the Old Mutual Institutional Short Term Interest Fund.

Hay Field
2016

We launch the Futuregrowth Infrastructure and Development ILB Fund.

Hay Field Sunset
2015

Futuregrowth reaches R150 billion in assets under management.

Sunflower Field
2013

Futuregrowth reaches R130 billion in assets under management and launches the Power ILB Fund.

Sunset Over The Hay Field
2011

We launch our first ever Agri Fund, as well as the Yield Enhanced Long Duration ILB Fund and Power Debt Fund.

Wheat Field
2008

Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) acquires WIPHOLD’s shareholding. The OMIG and Futuregrowth fixed interest teams merge to create a specialist fixed interest brand.

Hay Field
2005

WIPHOLD increases its shareholding to 70%. Remaining shares are held by the Employee Share Option Scheme.

Sunset over the Fields
2002

WIPHOLD buys a 40% equity stake in Futuregrowth. 20% is transferred to an Employee Share Option Scheme.

Field with Sun Setting
2000

We are transformed by the FirstRand group into a financial services company with Financial Services Board (FSB) approval.

Grass Field
1994

Futuregrowth is launched as a product within Southern Asset Management.

Our People

Meet Our Team

Our team of investment professionals use their investment skills and experience to expertly manage the risks of investing in the capital markets, while targeting benchmark-beating returns for our investors.

Our Awards

MSCI Awards - Logo
2019

MSCI South Africa Real Estate Investment Awards

  • Best Performing Specialist Property Fund (over 3 years): Community Property Fund

  • Highest Net Income Growth of all Property Funds: Community Property Fund

Batseta - Logo
2018

Batseta Imbasa Yegolide Awards

  • Bond Manager of the Year

  • Alternative Asset Class Manager of the Year

  • Responsible Investment Manager of the Year

MSCI Awards - Logo
2018

MSCI South Africa Real Estate Investment Award

  • Best Performing Specialist fund (over 3 years): Community Property Fund

MSCI Awards - Logo
2017

MSCI South Africa Real Estate Investment Award

  • Best Performing Specialist fund (over 3 years): Community Property Fund 

Batseta - Logo
2016

Batseta Imbasa Yegolide Awards

  • Bond Manager of the Year 

Batseta - Logo
2015

Batseta Imbasa Yegolide Awards

  • Responsible Investment Manager of the Year 

Raging Bull Awards - Logo
2014

Raging Bull Awards

  • South African Interest-bearing Variable-term: Community Growth Gilt Fund 

AfricaAM Performance Awards Generic - Logo
2013

Africa AM Performance Awards

  • South Africa Fixed Income Fund - Long Term Performance: Futuregrowth Infrastructure & Development Bond Fund 

POA Imbasa Yegolide Awards - Logo
2013

Principal Officers Association (POA) Imbasa Yegolide Awards

  • Bond Manager of the Year 

  • Responsible Investment Manager of the Year

Raging Bull Awards - Logo
2013

Raging Bull Awards

  • Best Domestic Fixed-interest Income Fund: Old Mutual Income Fund (R Class)

Raging Bull Awards - Logo
2012

Raging Bull Awards

  • Best Domestic Fixed Interest Income Fund

POA Imbasa Yegolide Awards - Logo
2011

Principal Officers Association (POA) Imbasa Yegolide Awards

  • Socially Responsible Investor of the Year

Global Pension Awards Generic - Logo
2011

Global Pensions Awards

  • Socially Responsible Investing

Mail and Guardian Investing in the Future Awards - Logo
2010

The Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Awards

  • Enterprise Development

Africa Investor Infrastructure - Logo
2010

Africa Investor Infrastructure Investment Awards

  • Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year

Mail and Guardian Investing in the Future Awards - Logo
2009

The Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Awards

  • Enterprise Development 

Africa Investor Infrastructure - Logo
2008

Africa Investor Infrastructure Investment Awards

  • Infrastructure Fund of the Year