MFS Announces Changes to its Multi-Asset Investment Group

Plan sponsors may wish to consider whether this investment news has any implications for the investment options available within their plans. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada purchases units of the fund listed below, which is established as a segregated fund under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada).

In November 2022, MFS announced changes to its five-person Multi-Asset Investment Group (MAIG). MAIG was established in 2021 to unify and optimize its multi-asset effort and to oversee continued development of MFS’ multi-asset capabilities. 

Effective December 31, 2022, Kevin Dwan and Robert Almeida joined MAIG. Dwan joined MFS in 2005. He is currently a co-manager of the MFS International Growth strategy. Almeida joined MFS in 1999. He is the firm’s global investment strategist and lead manager of the Diversified Income and Managed Wealth multi-asset strategies. Almeida has 27 years of industry experience. They join current MAIG members Pilar Gomez-Bravo, Director of Fixed Income (Europe) and Ben Nastou, co-head of the firm’s Quantitative Solutions Group.

Christopher Jennings and Simon Gresham, who spearheaded the development of the MAIG will be stepping back from their roles as co-CIO’s effective April 1, 2023. Gresham will continue to serve as a member of the group. He will focus on multi-asset research and analysis. Jennings will be retiring after more than 25 years in the industry (18 years with MFS). 

Sun Life GRS Investment Solutions’ view

MAIG doesn’t manage funds. There is no direct impact to the MFS multi-asset class funds (target date, target risk, balanced, diversified income) on Sun Life’s core platform. MAIG is a new committee consisting of senior members of the Equity, Fixed Income, and Quantitative teams. MAIG’s mandate includes establishing best practices in multi-asset class management and ensuring consistency across geographies. They will also look to add internal resources to multi-asset management, conduct multi-asset research, and evolve the multi-asset product line-up. 

Multi-asset strategies represent a small percentage of overall AUM. MFS’ sees this product group as potential growth opportunity. GRS Investment Solutions has no concerns with the changes to MAIG. We view the introduction of MAIG positively.

Do you have to take any action? 

You and your members don’t have to take any action as a result of these changes. 

Questions?

Please contact your Sun Life Group Retirement Services representative.