Frontier Advisors’ recently launched Independent CIO (ICIO) service was the focus of a discussion on the latest episode of the i3 Podcast: Conversations with Institutional Investors, hosted by Wouter Klijn.
In the episode, Charles Wu, Director of Investment, and Elie Saikaly, Co-Head of Liability-driven and Government Investors, discussed the origins of the new service, Frontier’s partnership with State Super, and the evolving needs of asset owners seeking greater investment capability and support.
The launch of the service follows the transition of State Super’s investment team to Frontier Advisors, bringing together Frontier’s long-standing investment advisory expertise with institutional investment implementation capability. For State Super, the arrangement provides continuity of investment expertise while allowing the organisation to transfer portfolio management responsibilities. For Frontier, it adds significant experience in investment management, implementation and portfolio oversight.
During the conversation, Charles reflected on the increasingly complex challenges faced by asset owners, particularly those managing mature portfolios with significant liquidity and cashflow requirements. Together, Charles and Elie discussed how many organisations are navigating growing governance and operational demands while often operating with relatively small internal investment teams.
These changing dynamics helped shape Frontier’s Independent CIO offering. Unlike traditional outsourced CIO models, the service is designed to provide clients with access to investment implementation capabilities while maintaining an independent and tailored approach. Rather than relying on a predetermined suite of products or strategies, the model is built around each client’s individual objectives, governance arrangements and investment requirements.
The discussion also explored the breadth of organisations that may benefit from the service, including insurers, universities, charities, endowments, foundations, family offices, government investors and smaller superannuation funds. Across many of these sectors, asset owners are seeking access to deeper investment expertise, implementation support and operational resources without necessarily moving to a fully outsourced investment model.
Beyond portfolio implementation, the conversation highlighted the broader role the service can play in supporting clients. This may include assistance with investment strategy, governance frameworks, specialist investment capabilities and other initiatives that reflect each organisation’s unique circumstances and objectives.
The episode concluded with a discussion on the next phase of the service’s development. State Super has been confirmed as the inaugural client, with regulatory approval processes nearing completion at the time of recording and strong interest already emerging from organisations across a range of sectors.
As Frontier continues to expand its capabilities, including its growing presence in Sydney and across Asia-Pacific markets, the Independent CIO service represents an important evolution of Frontier’s offering, bringing together strategic advice, governance expertise and investment implementation in a flexible model designed around the needs of each client.
