On 1 December 2020 Laurium Capital (Laurium) acquired 100% of the equity of Tantalum Capital (Tantalum), as previously held by the Tantalum management team and RMI Investment Managers. The Laurium and Tantalum teams are very excited to work together, having built strong personal and professional relationships over many years, based on similar value systems and investment DNA.

The four key members of the Tantalum management team being Rob Oellermann, Mike Lawrenson and Melanie Stockigt join Laurium on a permanent basis following the formal implementation of the transaction.

The primary objective of the transaction is to strengthen the combined efforts of the teams across multi-asset portfolios, with an emphasis on global equities and fixed income. We are confident that the transaction results in a combined team with deep experience and strong capabilities across the full range of investment mandates, while also allowing for additional emphasis on global equity research.

On the global front, the Tantalum team has been building its global equity capability, which will complement Laurium’s efforts in this area. As global allocations become an increasingly large part of multi-asset funds in South Africa, we believe it is important to develop a dedicated global capability.

In this regard, Rob will focus on global equity investing with support from the rest of the combined team.

Aside from global responsibilities, Rob will also continue to manage the existing multi-asset mandates and Mike will continue coverage of the resources sector across all geographies. Melanie will take over the responsibilities of departing JP du Plessis as portfolio manager of all the fixed income funds, as well as contribute to the asset allocation process of the multi-asset funds. 

RMI Investment Managers (RMI IM) has been a supportive shareholder of Tantalum since 2015 and will continue to hold an economic interest in the combined entity for the time being. Although this transaction brings an end to the partnership journey with Tantalum, RMI IM is fully supportive of this transaction and believe that it’s a beneficial outcome for both parties.

From a business perspective, the management of Laurium remains business as usual, with no material change to its shareholdings or decision-making structures.

We look forward to working with our new colleagues and continuing to add value to our clients’ portfolios.