Hard work and discipline

Star Manager 2023
Paul Xiradis, Portfolio Manager, Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Ausbil Australian Active Equity Fund
Ausbil Investment Management

Being an observant, hard-working individual with good discipline while sticking to a thorough process is just a prerequisite to successfully manage money, according to Paul Xiradis, executive chairman, chief investment officer and portfolio manager of the Ausbil Australian Active Equity Fund, who has been recognised as one of Financial Newswire and SQM Research’s Star Managers for 2023.

Xiradis, who is a co-founder of Ausbil and has been in investments since 1979, said that a skilful portfolio manager should always be open to different perspectives and be aware that the investment landscape is constantly changing.

“Regardless of how good your process is and how good your discipline is you have to work hard all the time and you have to be open to different views, in the sense of what may be influencing companies and economies, but also that things do not stay the same,” he said.

“In order to successfully manage money you have to be an incredibly disciplined individual and you need to follow your process and be true to that process.”

Xiradis has been instrumental in building Ausbil into a multi-billion dollar investment manager and is currently responsible for portfolio construction and strategy.

His Ausbil Australian Active Equity Fund provides exposure to an actively managed portfolio, predominantly made up of listed Australian equities, which are primarily chosen from the S&P/ASX 300 Index.

Xiradis told Financial Newswire that a good manager also needs to know how to spot opportunities and invest early on, especially when it comes to major cycles, and they should be able to look at the bigger picture and take into account all factors that might affect their view.

“The way we manage money is a little bit different to others. Investment managers always refer to themselves as stock pickers – and we are stock pickers. But we also combine the top down approach which helps us look for the opportunities before the market recognises them.

“How we are different is we are a top-down bottom-up manager and it really helps us define the opportunities from the earnings perspective.”

Xiradis also manages Ausbil’s equities team and is chairman of Ausbil’s Portfolio Construction Committee.

Prior to his career at Ausbil, he gained experience at Westpac Banking Corporation’s Investment Management Division, Mercantile & General and Legal & General Asset Management and has held senior roles in management, investment and portfolio management across the funds management industry.

Celebrate the achievements of the 2023 Star Managers and broader Fund Manager of the Year awards finalists with us at our gala dinner on Thursday 14 September from 6pm at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney. Tickets are on sale now and you can find more information about the awards and event here.