Aus equity specialist managers join charity “fund of funds”

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

13 May 2025

Charitable “fund of funds”, the Third Link Growth Fund, has added a further three Australian equity specialist managers to its underlying portfolio.

Australian Eagle Asset Management, Chester Asset Management and Firetrail Investments join 11 other managers in contributing their chosen equity fund to the Third Link Growth Fund’s portfolio and boost its active management roster.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Australian Eagle, Chester, and Firetrail to the Fund. Their inclusion strengthens what is now a stellar line-up of investment managers,” Founder and Portfolio Manager of the Third Link Growth Fund, Chris Cuffe AO, said.

“By leveraging their expertise, we aim to enhance investment performance for our investors, while continuing to support our nominated charities through the generous rebate of all management and performance fees.

“We look forward to building strong relationships with these managers to drive long-term returns and deliver real social outcomes through ongoing charitable support.”

Australian Eagle Asset Management has brought its Australian Eagle Equities Fund via its distribution partner, Montgomery Investment Management, to the Third Link Growth Fund, offering investors exposure to a portfolio of high-quality and undervalued 25 to 35 large-cap Australian listed companies.

“We’re proud to contribute to the Third Link Growth Fund with a strategy that has consistently delivered excess returns over more than two decades,” Sean Sequeria, Chief Investment Officer at Australian Eagle Asset Management, said.

“This is a rare opportunity to combine investing excellence with a greater purpose and supporting the community.”

Chester Asset Management has delivered its award-winning Chester High Conviction Fund, providing investors with access to a concentrated portfolio of high-conviction stocks that seek to outperform the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index – and has done so for over a decade since inception.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Third Link Growth Fund and support its dual mandate of returns and impact,” Rob Tucker, Portfolio Manager at Chester Asset Management, said.

“We are proud to contribute to a fund with such a meaningful purpose.”

Firetrail Investments has provided access to its Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund, offering investors the opportunity to back “under-researched” companies outside the S&P/ASX 100 that show long-term growth potential.

“Firetrail is excited to be partnering with the Third Link Growth Fund on what is a great initiative to deliver strong investment returns whilst simultaneously giving back to the community,” Matthew Fist and Eleanor Swanson, Portfolio Managers at Firetrail Investments, said.

The Third Link Growth Fund has now donated over $23 million to not-for-profit organisations and generated over 9.4 per cent per annum (net of fees) for investors.

Its 14 underlying managers and portfolio funds now include:

• 1851 Capital – 1851 Emerging Companies Fund
• Australian Eagle Asset Management (via Montgomery Investment Management) – Australian Eagle Equities Fund
• Auscap Asset Management – Auscap Ex-20 Australian Equities Fund (Ex-20 Fund)
• Chester Asset Management – Chester High Conviction Fund
• Cooper Investors – CI Australian Equities Fund
• DNR Capital – DNR Capital Australian Equities High Conviction Fund
• ECP Asset Management – ECP Growth Companies Fund
• Eiger Capital – Eiger Australian Small Companies Fund
• Eley Griffiths Group – Eley Griffiths Group Mid Cap Fund
• Firetrail Investments – Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund
• Greencape Capital – Greencape Capital High Conviction Fund
• L1 Capital – L1 Capital Catalyst Fund
• Lennox Capital Partners – Lennox Australian Small Companies Fund
• Pengana Capital – Pengana Emerging Companies Fund