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Robert Cowen Investments

Growing Families' Wealth Since 1982

Welcome

Robert Cowen Investments (RCI) was started in 1982 by Robert Cowen in order to manage private client assets, and is now positioned as a niche investment house, specialising in family wealth management. RCI has grown and expanded our business over the past four decades. We started with a handful of clients and now serve over 200 families across many generations. For some, we are looking after the fourth generation of individuals who originally started out with us in 1982! The size of the portfolios varies, ranging from R1 million to R500 million. RCI prides itself on being able to provide a comprehensive investment, wealth management, wealth structuring, administration and accounting service with a great deal of emphasis on personal service. Our dedicated team of experts is committed to providing personalized solutions that align with your family’s values, objectives, and legacy aspirations. With our extensive experience and deep understanding of the ever-changing financial and regulatory landscape, we are here to guide you at every stage of your financial journey.

About Us

From 1982 until 1996

South African financial institutions could only invest in local assets and were not allowed to invest offshore. Our focus was to invest in shares listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange unless clients had a need for income. Equities have been the only asset class to outperform inflation on a long-term basis.

1997 Onwards: Sending Funds Offshore

After the advent of democracy, South African exchange controls were relaxed in 1997 and we were allowed to invest up to R250,000 of clients’ capital offshore per year. This exchange control allowance is now R10 million per year. This has enabled the South African investing public to increase their allocation to global investments over time, thereby benefiting from faster-growing economies and more innovative companies. Our investment philosophy closely follows our mantra, ‘live in the sun, invest in the shade’ and we advocate transferring a significant amount of a client’s investments offshore.

2001 Onwards: Introduction of Unit Trusts

In 2001, capital gains tax was introduced in South Africa and we adopted our investment approach to deal with this. We established our first unit trust, the RCI Flexible Managed Fund in 2003. Any purchases or sales inside a unit trust are not subject to capital gains tax and so the fund is able to trade without considering the tax effects for the client. We now have unit trusts across the entire risk spectrum at our disposal that provide tax-friendly solutions.

2011 Onwards: Greylisting and Increased Compliance & Regulation

In the early 2010s, Common Reporting Standards and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act were introduced to standardize and enforce the sharing of all financial information between jurisdictions. Following South Africa’s greylisting, the compliance and regulatory burden has become even more onerous. We now have approximately R5.9 billion in assets under management, with 24% invested locally and 76% invested offshore. Given that the situation on the ground in South Africa persists, “live in the sun and invest in the shade” will remain central to our investment approach, despite the additional time and cost involved in complying with stricter guidelines.

2015 Onwards: Anchor Becomes Majority Shareholder

We are a subsidiary of Anchor, which now owns 100% of RCI. RCI provides family office expertise to the Anchor Group and our investment processes are highly integrated. We know enough to know when we don’t know enough and consequently have assembled a set of highly skilled specialists offering legal, exchange control and wealth structuring services. These offerings combined with our specialist family office services, led to the establishment of Anchor Succession, which started in 2022. Anchor Succession is involved with all matters relating to trusts, wills and estates.

Our Investment Strategy

At RCI, we believe that, even more important than setting your financial goals is deciding how you will get there and sticking with the plan. An effective asset allocation strategy is the starting point in your journey to financial success. We recognise that everyone is different and our aim is to prepare a plan with you that takes proper account of your current financial position, personal family situation, risk profile, financial goals, and time horizon. We consider global diversification an important part of managing risk over the long-term. We seek to allocate among equities, bonds, real estate, alternative investments and cash, both locally and offshore, to design bespoke portfolios that align with your objectives and will be there to proactively refine that plan with you as things change. In seeking to ensure your wealth grows in real terms (after inflation, in other words), we believe in the power of offshore equities to capture global growth opportunities and produce superior long-term capital growth in rands. Whether you’re seeking capital preservation, income generation, or long-term growth, our asset allocation strategies are designed to meet your unique requirements. Contact us today to learn how our expertise in crafting customized portfolios can help you achieve your financial goals.

Our objective is to deliver real (meaning above inflation) after-tax growth in our clients’ wealth over the long term. To achieve this, we invest in companies that meet our quality investment criteria. These are typically companies that produce products that people use regardless of the economic cycle. We tend to avoid companies that are highly capital-intensive and favour businesses that are competitive globally but listed in markets that demand strong governance and transparency.

For us, quality traits we seek in the companies in which we invest include:

  • Businesses that have demonstrated an ability to sustainably generate a superior return on their operating capital;
  • Businesses that have a clear grow path ahead and thus have the opportunity to compound growth through reinvestment of the cash they generate;
  • Attributes or competitive advantages that are difficult for others to replicate – competitive moats;
  • Strong cash generation and limited reliance on debt;
  • Able to cope well with technological change and creative destruction;
  • Business models that are not dependent on government policy or regulation.

We acknowledge that such companies more often than not trade at valuations that are higher than the broader market, due to their superior fundamentals. We aim to be patient in order to take advantage of opportunities to acquire positions at acceptable levels and then hold them for a long time. This ensures our clients benefit from the power of compound growth over the long term, while the drag from trading costs and tax is minimised.

Anchor BCI SA Equity Fund

The Anchor BCI SA Equity Fund closed August at 582.28c, up 2.43% for the month and up 14.30% for the last 12 months.

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RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Fund

RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Fund closed August at 184.23, down 1.61% for the month and up 4.93% for the last 12 months.

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RCI BCI Flexible Growth Fund

RCI BCI Flexible Growth Fund closed August at 188.43, up 1.61% for the month and up 12.67% for the last 12 months.

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Specialised Investment Services

At RCI, we specialize in tailoring bespoke share portfolios for our clients’ needs. In addition to this we manage a variety of different unit trusts that are managed with similar investment strategies (albeit some with a local focus and others with an offshore focus).

The local bespoke share portfolios are well diversified, covering a variety of different industries. A particular focus is placed on companies that produce products that people have to use regardless of the economic cycle and therefore are able to exhibit reliable earnings streams with which they can pay you an income from. We avoid cyclical and capital intensive businesses. Most of the chosen companies offer, either, good capital growth prospects, or rand hedge characteristics, good income yields, or a combination of all three traits. Typically, we focus the bulk of the portfolio on listed companies with a high ROCE (return on capital employed) and high free cash flow so they can produce you good income growth over time that is reliable regardless of what happens to your capital. A fundamental part of our clients future returns is depenedent on the a growing dividend stream that is paid to them. Over time, this can be used to draw down on, or, if not drawn out, compound.

Our view of the markets and the shares chosen for the portfolio is constantly changing albeit we do have a long term strategy in place. Our investment decisions remain flexible and are adjusted when appropriate.

In general, we aim to construct portfolios that exhibit the following characteristics:

  • Companies generating large amounts of free cash flow and high returns on capital employed
  • Both growth shares and dividend paying shares that achieve your income requirements.
  • Large and medium cap shares that are in the top 100 on the JSE but mostly the top 40.
  • Companies with attractive balance sheets and well established management teams.
  • Rand hedge shares to protect against the weakening rand over the long term.
  • Exposure to multiple industries and demographics.
  • Limited exposure to resources and commodities.
  • Exposure the growing middle class.

RCI currently offers a range of unit trust products from Anchor Capital. We have three different unit trust products managed directly by the RCI investment team:

 

RCI BCI WORLDWIDE FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND (L)

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

A moderate to aggressive risk profile portfolio that aims to deliver high long-term capital growth at a reasonable level of risk.

INVESTMENT POLICY & PHILOSOPHY

Subject to a minimum equity exposure of 40% of the portfolio’s total assets, the manager shall have the maximum flexibility to vary assets between the various markets, asset classes and countries to reflect the changing economic and market conditions. The portfolio will include, amongst others, quality equity securities with high long-term earnings growth potential. The portfolio may invest in global and local equity securities, interest-bearing securities, property shares, property-related securities, preference shares, money market instruments, non-equity securities and assets in liquid form. The fund does not ascribe to market timing but rather focuses on businesses that are able to provide good long-term cash generation potential while allowing for positive operating leverage over time. Offshore equity exposure is preferred to give investors exposure to innovative technologies and services. Some of the themes include the internet, e-commerce, cloud computing, software as a service, cyber security, payments, fintech and streaming.

 

RCI BCI WORLDWIDE FLEXIBLE FUND (A)

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

A worldwide multi-asset flexible portfolio that aims to deliver a high long-term total return.

INVESTMENT POLICY & PHILOSOPHY

The focus of the portfolio is direct investment in high quality offshore equities that are world leaders in their industries, with emphasis on businesses with high Return on Capital Employed combined with excellent free cash flow generation. We tend to ignore whether or not a company pays a dividend as we usually prefer those businesses that reinvest earnings in their internal operations. We also tend not to chase short-term investment narratives and themes that could be trending in the market, as we would not want to reduce the quality of the portfolio for the sake of following the flavour of the month.

 

ANCHOR BCI SA EQUITY FUND (A)

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

A domestic general equity portfolio that aims to provide investors with high long-term capital growth.

INVESTMENT POLICY & PHILOSOPHY

The portfolio’s net equity exposure will be a minimum of 80% of the portfolio’s asset value. The portfolio’s investment universe consists of South African equity securities, preference shares, property shares and property related securities listed on exchanges, interest-bearing instruments as well as assets in liquid form. The focus of the portfolio is on investing in domestically listed companies that have an investment case that insulates them from SA’s difficult economic situation (strong multinational franchise, rand hedge, dominant local platform, or clear local expansion strategy for example); high confidence in improving Return on Capital Employed and excellent cash flow generation. Of those companies that pay a dividend we prefer businesses with a dependable and solid payment history.

One of the diverse wealth services Robert Cowen Investments offer is looking after client’s retirement funding. We are licensed through the FSCA (Financial Services Sector Authority) as both a Category 1 and Category II service providers in long term insurance products.

Retirement funds provide the following options:

Retirement annuities – which offer individuals a vehicle through which to make provision for retirement and provides tax relief on contributions

Living annuities – which provides members retiring from provident, pension or retirement annuities to receive regular income

Preservation Funds – Individuals, who are participants of a registered pension or provident fund and are in the process of leaving their employment, have the opportunity to preserve their retirement benefits via preservation funds until they retire. If funds are being transferred from a pension fund they will go into a pension preservation fund. Likewise a provident fund can be transferred into a provident preservation fund

Benefits of Robert Cowen Investments looking after your retirement funding include:

  • Dependant on value of funds available, a share portfolio can be managed within the retirement funding
  • Funds can be invested offshore through our service providers
  • Our portfolio managers regularly check clients’ portfolios to ensure that growth is in line with client mandates and preferences
  • Clients receive monthly statements of their investments and portfolio managers do regular reviews with clients
  • Annually we check with all clients from a tax perspective to assess whether it would be prudent for clients to add to their current retirement annuities or to start a new retirement annuity to utilise the current tax reduction benefits in terms of taxation

We take pride in the ability to offer our clients a wide range of services to ensure a total package of wealth and portfolio management.

For further information on our retirement funding options, contact Christine Ulyate on (011) 591 0569 or christine@rcinv.co.za

Trusts

We are able to assume responsibility as Trustees of Trusts that are or have been established for our clients, through our independent Trust company, Apollo Trustees (Pty) Ltd, which Di Haiden represents. This covers the fiduciary and administrative responsibility assumed by Trustees as well as advising on the setting up of Trust Deeds and approval of Trusts by the Master. We run investment portfolios for the Trusts, provide accounting (which includes preparing the Financial Statements of the Trust) and administrative work, which involves the drawing up of resolutions and loan agreements etc., minute taking and distributions. We also keep up to date with current tax and trust legislation and liaise with clients regularly regarding distributions from Trusts, loans to and from Trusts etc.

Wills and Estate Planning

Over the years, we have gained experience in all aspects of our clients’ affairs, including estate planning. Typically, this covers whether there is a need for Trusts in the client’s overall structure, what the assets are which are included in their estates, what effect estate duty will have on the asset base upon a death and how to structure their investments going forward. We also review clients’ existing wills and organize for wills to be drawn up or re-drafted.

Content to be advised

Fund Updates

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Other Services

Robert Cowen Investments offers full administration and accounting services where trusts are involved. This includes trustee services and the administration involved therein. This covers the routine maintenance for trusts including minute books, organizing of trustees meetings, amendments to trust deeds etc.

A full accounting system is in place to record all transactions and produce the necessary annual financial accounts for trusts and individual clients. Statements are sent to the client monthly and include a transactions schedule and portfolio valuation

Robert Cowen InvestmentsFee percentage p.a.RCI portion/rebate
RCI Advisory Fee1.25%1.25%
Brokerage
Local Brokerage Fee (% of the trade) - Anchor0.50%0.30%
Offshore Brokerage Fee (% of the trade) - SAXO0.50%0.35%
Broker Expenses
Offshore Quarterly Custody Fee - SAXOUS$ 25US$ 12.5
Local DMA Platform Expenses0.15%0.00%
Anchor Monthly Share Portfolio Admin FeeR400
Anchor turn on Call Interest earned0.50%0.00%
Unit Trust Fees
Anchor BCI SA Equity Fund A*1.00%0.905%
Anchor BCI SA Equity Fund B **0.095%0.00%
RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Fund A*1.00%1.00%
RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Fund B **0.20%0.10%
RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Growth Fund1.00%1.00%
RCI Global Fund1.25%1.25%
RCI Next Generation Exchange Traded Note0.60%0.25%
All Anchor Unit TrustsFund dependent0.75% of relevant management fee
Nedbank Charges
Monthly Account FeeR12.00R0.00
EFT Fee per paymentR5.00R0.00
Annual Administration Fee (approx.)R600.00R0.00
Momentum Fees
Platform Administration Fees0.15%0.00%
First R1.5m0.50%0.00%
Amount above R5m0.15%0.00%
Additional access fee will apply on:0.15%0.00%
- Personal share portfolio
- International administration
- Momentum offshore capacity
- Traded Endowment Option
Transactional Fees
Investment switches onlineR250 per switchR0.00
Immediate payment feeR100R0.00

*The investment manager of Astoria, Anchor Capital Mauritius, earns a 1% asset management fee for direct investments and 0.5% fee for investments into funds by third parties. In turn Anchor Capital South Africa provides investment advisory services to Anchor Capital Mauritius and earns an advisory fee. Anchor Capital South Africa is the holding company of RCI, but RCI receives none of these fees.

All figures are exclusive of VAT.

RCI offer a full suite of cash services needs for private clients. These services include:

  • Setting up and paying of any monthly drawing requirements as well as processing any ad-hoc cash requirements or third party payments (can take up to 4 working days)
  • Paying of any monthly debit orders (DSTV, tracker services, medical aid, levies etc)
  • Sending funds offshore – we utilise the services of Nedbank and Exchange 4 Free
  • Transfers of cash between RCI managed accounts (Nedbank, PSG and Momentum)

All accounts are opened in the name of the client and any bank charges incurred for any of the above are for the client’s account.

Resources

Our Team

Di Haiden

CEO

Di Haiden has been with RCI since 1990 and has worked with Rob Cowen since 1987. She is currently a Director and Chief Executive Officer of RCI. Prior to RCI (which seems like aeons ago!), Di started working in the family office space in 1982 with Fairheads Trust in the Cape, moved to Joburg and went into partnership doing accounting and bookkeeping for small businesses and then met Rob, who invited her to join RCI. Her ‘outside office’ activities include being involved with her children and myriad of their offspring (7 grandchildren), organising annual family concerts, playing sport (golf rather badly) and exercising.

Mike Gresty, CA (SA), CFA

CIO

Mike started in the investment industry in equity research in 1999, initially at Barnard Jacobs Mellet, then Deutsche Bank, followed by a brief stint at Citibank, before joining RCI in 2018 as Chief Investment Officer. During his time in equity research, Mike covered the South African Banks and General Financial sectors, Telecommunications and Technology, as well as a South African investment strategy. Mike is a Chartered Accountant and holds a CFA designation. Outside of work, Mike enjoys getting away on flyfishing adventures (not always successful!), and keeps fit through roadrunning and triathlons for as long as his body holds out.

Andrew Lawson, CFA

Managing Director

Andrew is a CFA charterholder. He joined RCI in 2016 after five years in the finance department of a local distributor for a large global brand, where he was responsible for the treasury function. Andrew is currently involved in RCI's day-to-day business operations and assists clients with achieving their investment goals. When not focused on work or his wife and two young children, Andrew can be found on the golf course, probably looking for his ball in the rough.

Kirsty Lucas, CA (SA)

Financial Manager

Kirsty joined RCI in December 2015. Kirsty is the Financial Manager of the company and leads our Trust accounting team. Prior to joining RCI, Kirsty completed her articles at RSM Betty & Dickson and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. After several years as an audit manager, she left auditing to obtain corporate experience and worked in the finance department of Broll Property Group. After hours, Kirsty loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. They enjoy outdoor activities together such as walking & playing tennis. Kirsty enjoys being actively involved in all aspects of her daughters' schooling, especially enthusiastically supporting their sport from the sidelines.

Ross McConnochie, CFA

Offshore Fund Manager

Ross has worked for Robert Cowen Investments since 2011, with a current focus on offshore analysis and portfolio management. Ross’s primary focus is on offshore fund management where he manages the RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Fund. Ross holds a B. Bus Sci Finance Honours from the University of Cape Town and is a CFA charterholder. In his free time Ross enjoys trips to the African bushveld and trail runs across South Africa.

Eric Lappeman, CFA

Wealth Manager

Eric has worked in the financial markets since 2010, initially as an equity trader for Robert Cowen Investments, before moving on to portfolio, and wealth management, in 2014. Eric has a passion for markets and managing client relationships. He is the fund manager for the RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible Growth Fund, while also managing the RCI Next Generation ETN solution. Eric is a CFA Charterholder and has also completed his registered persons examinations with the SAIFM. In his spare time, Eric enjoys outdoor activities and sport.

Gontse Dikeledi

Junior Wealth Manager

Gontse Dikeledi is a dedicated and passionate member of the Robert Cowen Investments team. She joined the investment team in May 2018 as an assistant to the portfolio managers and currently works as junior wealth manager. She graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Business Science degree, majoring in finance. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Development Finance from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. In her spare time she enjoys building puzzles and travelling with her family.

Keiran Witthuhn, CFA

Junior Wealth Manager

Keiran joined RCI at the end of 2021, having previously worked in a government advisory position in the Middle East. He works with the portfolio management team focusing on servicing the investment needs of high-net-worth families in South Africa. He is also involved with marketing, RCI’s monthly newsletter and is a member of the RCI investment team. Keiran holds a MCom in Economics from Stellenbosch University and has passed CFA level III. He will attain the CFA designation once he has the required period of relevant experience. Keiran is a sports fanatic who loves the outdoors.

Kate Trollip

Fiduciary Specialist

Kate has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Psychology and Anthropology and graduated from Rhodes University in 2006. She has tried her hand at many professions ranging from event management to working in the accounts department as a creditors clerk for Legacy Hotel Management Services. She started working at Robert Cowen Investments in February 2011 as an assistant bookkeeper but was moved around the company until she found something she was passionate about – the Trusts and estates work. Kate also loves interacting with the clients of Robert Cowen Investments and has come to know a number of the families quite well. In her spare time, she enjoys going on adventures with her son.

Aarthi Bikram, MTP (H Dip Tax)

Senior Trust Accountant

Aarthi Bikram holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a higher Diploma in Taxation. After graduating Aarthi has spent 17 years in various family offices as a client accountant assisting high-net worth clients and their families. Aarthi is a registered accountant with SAIBA and a registered tax practitioner with SAIT. When not crunching numbers, she enjoys expressing her creativity with cooking and spending time with her husband and family.

Christine Ulyate

Operations Manager

Christine has been with RCI since October 2006. She currently looks after the retirement products, company accounts, compliance and general organisation administration for the company. Prior to RCI she worked as the General Manager of Corporate Studio – a commercial interior design company for 17 years where she handled the accounts and the import of fabrics from overseas for retailers. In her spare time she likes to play ‘old man’s marbles’ and is a keen painter and crafter – other than enjoying drinking wine with her long suffering husband!

Michelle Isherwood

Cash Management

Michelle has been at RCI since February 2008. She currently does Client Cash Management and Financial administration – taking care of all our clients funding needs. Prior to RCI she worked in the accounts department of AP Autobody and also at a Commercial Interior Design company for many years – Michelle has worked in finance for 26 plus years. In her down time, she loves spending time in her garden and is an avid gardener. She also enjoys spending time with her family and entertaining.

Mandy Davidge-Pitts

Special Projects

Mandy Davidge-Pitts joined Robert Cowen Investments in November 1997. Under the guidance of Rob Cowen and Di Haiden she became immersed in the Client Administration and Trust department, for both onshore and offshore clients. The knowledge gained, and relationships formed with clients, remain an important element in her providing a personal family office service. After a couple of years break in 2014 and 2015 she returned to help with the many Special Projects that are now required, going the extra mile for many families and continuing with the personal service. She is very involved with her family and friends when away from her desk. Trips to the bush are also her delight being an avid bird watcher.

Lorna Aylward

Trust Bookkeeper

Lorna Aylward joined RCI as the client bookkeeper in 1998 and was involved in the setting up of the computerised version of the portfolio and accounting systems. It has been an exciting journey being involved with the growth of the business and the upgrading of the systems to meet the constantly changing investment environment. When not at work I enjoy walking in the mountains, reading, sketching and spending time with the family.

Tracy Peeters

Trust Bookkeeper

Tracy joined the RCI Trust Accounting Team in July 2022. She is a graduate with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and holds a Diploma in Information Systems Project Management. Her 35 years of financial experience covers commercial and management companies, listed pharmaceuticals, IT and broadcasting companies and auditing firms. She enjoys fishing and hunting and being outdoors. Leisure time is spent with her husband on the golf course or tennis court.

Kim Cooper

Administration Assistant

Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications. Prior to Joining the RCI Team in January 2023 she was employed for 8 years at Steyn City Properties as a legal administrator. Her role at RCI is financial administration, she assists the investment team, along with Marieke. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with family and close friends, as well as having movie marathons – the classics are her favourite.

Juane van Heerden

Assistant to Wealth Managers

Juane obtained her LLB degree from the University of Pretoria, after which she completed her articles at a small law firm specializing in civil litigation. She was admitted as an attorney in 2021 and focused on trust compliance and the drafting of Wills within the financial services industry. With extensive experience in administrative roles, she will be assisting the investment team in enhancing our overall client offerings. Outside the office she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs, finding balance and inspiration in nature.

Reynette Reynierse

Trust Bookkeeper

Reynette have been a trust accountant for the past 10 and a half years and had the role of Senior Trust Accountant at the previous company. Apart from capturing the financial data and completing annual financial statements, she was also involved with all aspects regarding SARS, which included registrations, submissions, objections, and other SARS related queries. Reynette worked closely with the Legal Division and assisted them with the preparation of trust resolutions and agreements. She has a great passion for animals and often spends her free time visiting animal shelters and helping where she can.

Contact Us

ROBERT COWEN INVESTMENTS

25 Culross Road
Bryanston
Sandton
2191
South Africa

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 784
Saxonwold
2132
South Africa

CONTACT NUMBERS

Office: 011 591 0585