Rob da Silva heads Research IP Australia push

The Australian investment research and ratings space has become a little more crowded with van Eyk and SQM Research veteran, Rob da Silva having joined New Zealand-based Research IP to lead the firm’s expansion into Australia.

At the same time, the Research IP principals are promising a price competitive entry to the Australian market.

Speaking to Financial Newswire last week, da Silva said he was enthusiastic about building the business in Australia and would be drawing on his previous experience and relationships in investment management research.

He noted Research IP’s success in New Zealand and his alignment with is research approach.

da Silva parted company with SQM Research last year after nine years as Head of Manager Research with the company prior to which he was Head of Manager Research and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at van Eyk Research.

Where Research IP’s move into the Australian market is concerned, da Silva acknowledged that, initially, it would be a case of he and Research IP’s Darren Howlin and Oliver Trusler laying the foundations for growth.

Howlin, Research IP’s managing director, said in a statement announcing the appointment of da Silva that the objective was to bring a core offering of high-quality actionable research that would be freely available.

“This will enable clients to have access to key information and ratings, helping them to make important investment decisions. The only requirement to access the service is an email address,” he said.

“Research IP is extremely pleased to have someone of the calibre of Rob joining the team. Rob is a highly capable and respected financial services professional and brings a unique set of skills gained over 39+ years in two careers as a highly regarded investment manager and leading research expert. This combination is rare in the Australian marketplace and brings sharper insights and a deeper level of understanding of a manager’s competency and value to an investor.”

The company’s managing partner, Oliver Trusler said that while the company’s research would be freely available “we will also bring a highly competitive pricing model to the industry”.

“Our aim is to get to full market coverage and provide the industry opinion and comparability to make better investment decisions.  With engagement already from Australian Managers we will shortly be releasing research on a range of funds from the likes of Ausbil, First Sentier and Perpetual with many more in the pipeline.  Supported by our RIPPL Effect concept we aim to quickly achieve full market coverage for the Australian and New Zealand markets.”