From today Hibernian Aviva is providing investors in Ireland with access to a unique new suite of investment funds covering gold, new energy, world energy and mining from global fund manager BlackRock.
From today Hibernian Aviva is providing investors in Ireland with access to a unique new suite of investment funds covering gold, new energy, world energy and mining from global fund manager BlackRock.
The new funds are being launched as part of Hibernian Aviva’s FundChoice strategy to look out for consumers and provide them with the widest range of funds to suit their needs and have been launched following significant demand from individual investors.
Founded in 1988, BlackRock has $1.283 trillion in assets under management. BlackRock’s award winning Natural Resources team is arguably one of the leading Fund Managers in this specialist field. The four funds being made available are authorised by the Financial Regulator for marketing to the public in Ireland and will be available to investors with a minimum investment of €10,000 for single premium and for regular premium and pension investors from €150 per month.
The funds include the BlackRock Global Funds (BGF) World Mining Fund and World Gold Fund, run by Evy Hambro and the BGF World Energy and BGF New Energy Funds, run by Robin Batchelor and Poppy Allonby.
The full fund range available on the Hibernian Aviva platform include:
- BGF World Mining Fund
- BGF World Gold Fund
- BGF World Energy Fund
- BGF New Energy Fund
Speaking about the announcement today, Michael Gordon, of Hibernian Aviva, said: “Despite the downturn and the volatility on financial markets, there remain opportunities for investors to capitalise on. We have seen a significant rally in the new energy, mining and gold sectors and the new funds on Hibernian Aviva’s platform from BlackRock present retail investors with access to a globally renowned investment manager with experience in these sectors”.
Alex Hoctor-Duncan, head of UK retail at BlackRock, commented: “These funds are managed by teams that have shown themselves adept at navigating choppy waters not only in recent months, but over many years. The current investing climate offers good opportunities for managers such as these with depth of experience and a proven investment process”.
BGF World Mining Fund, run by Evy Hambro, invests globally in the securities of mining and metal companies who predominantly focus on the production of base metals and industrial minerals, such as iron ore and coal and may also invest in companies whose predominant activity is in gold or other precious metal or mineral mining. The fund launched in early 1997.
BGF World Gold Fund, also managed by Evy Hambro, fund manager, who co-leads BlackRock’s 14-strong natural resources team. The fund is one of the leading offerings in this sector. It seeks to maximise total return from investments in companies whose main economic activity is gold-mining although it may also invest in other precious metals or mineral mining. Launched in 1994 the fund does not hold any physical gold or metal.
BGF World Energy Fund, managed by Robin Batchelor and Poppy Allonby, invests predominantly in companies focused on the exploration, development, production and distribution of energy, including new energy technologies. The fund was launched in early 2001.
BGF New Energy Fund, also managed by Robin Batchelor (who co-leads with Evy Hambro BlackRock’s natural resources team) and Poppy Allonby. Launched in 2000 the New Energy Fund is one of the largest established funds focused on new energy. It invests globally at least 70% of assets in new energy companies, those companies engaged in alternative energy and energy technologies including renewable energy, alternative fuels, automotive and on-site power generation, materials technology, energy storage and enabling energy technologies.
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For further information please contact:
Hibernian Aviva
Sophie Clare, Fleishman Hillard Tel. +++ 353 (0)1 6188 438
Alan Tyrrell, Hibernian Aviva Tel. +++ 353 (0)1 898 5452 / 00353 (0)86 850 8673
Maura McBride, Hibernian Aviva Tel. +++ 353 (0)1 898 5574
BlackRock
Emma Phillips
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7743 2922
E-mail: emma.phillips@blackrock.com
About Hibernian Aviva
- Hibernian Aviva has been part of Ireland’s insurance industry for the last hundred years and has grown to become one of the largest and most successful organisations in the country with businesses in General Insurance, Life & Pensions and most recently the health insurance sector.
- Part of the world’s fifth largest insurance group Aviva plc, the company has approximately 1.2 million customers in Ireland and offices in Dublin, Cork and Galway with a branch network in 27 other locations.
- Aviva is the world’s fifth largest* insurance group, serving 50 million customers across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
- Aviva's main business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £51.4 billion and funds under management of £381 billion at 31 December 2008.
- Aviva is the largest insurance services provider in the UK and one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe.
*based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2007
About BlackRock
BlackRock is one of the world’s largest publicly traded investment management firms. At March 31, 2009, BlackRock’s assets under management were $1.283 trillion. The firm manages assets on behalf of institutions and individuals worldwide through a variety of equity, fixed income, cash management and alternative investment products. In addition, a growing number of institutional investors use BlackRock Solutions® investment system, risk management and financial advisory services. The firm is headquartered in New York City and has employees in 21 countries throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. For additional information, please visit the firm's website at www.blackrock.com.
World Gold Fund, World Mining Fund
The Fund does not hold physical gold or other metals. Investors in this Fund should be aware of the above-average volatility inherent in mining shares and the low level of correlation between the mining sector and equity markets as a whole, with gold bullion and mining shares tending to be counter-cyclical in nature.
Where a Fund has a particularly concentrated portfolio and a particular investment declines or is otherwise adversely affected, it may have a more pronounced effect than if the Fund held a larger number of investments.
New Energy Fund, World Energy Fund
Where a Fund has a particularly concentrated portfolio and a particular investment declines or is otherwise adversely affected, it may have a more pronounced effect than if the Fund held a larger number of investments.