2026 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

The Fund Manager of the Year Awards program, in conjunction with event stakeholders Money Management and Lonsec have developed a robust awards methodology to form the backbone for assessing and benchmarking Australia’s leading finance professionals.

The judging criteria for award categories is both quantitative and qualitative, acknowledging growth, business development, diversity, leadership, innovation, business excellence and contribution to Australia’s financial sector.

View all Award categories and nomination criteria below.

12 March

Nominations and submissions open

16 April

Nominations and submissions close

Please contact us if you have any questions or need help lodging your submission.

5 May

Finalists announced

26 June

Awards ceremony

ANALYST OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an individual whose research, insights and analysis have directly driven better investment outcomes. The winner demonstrates outstanding skill in identifying opportunities, managing risk and generating alpha through rigorous, disciplined and forward-looking analysis.
 
This category celebrates the professionals who sit behind the scenes, providing the intellectual engine room that underpins successful portfolios and strategies.
 
BDM OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the top-performing fund management BDM for the calendar year 2025 and is open to all full-time BDMs that meet the category requirements.
 
BDMs will be assessed on associated fund management volumes, plus their servicing credentials.
 
MARKETER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a leading marketing, PR or communications professional who supports the fund management sector via the provision of services to managers and firms and can effectively demonstrate that their role and advice have transformed and helped improve reputation, best practice, and professionalism in the fund management space.
 
 
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
This award celebrates an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to developing the next generation of investment professionals. It recognises someone who actively supports, coaches and inspires colleagues through guidance, leadership and personal investment in others’ careers.
 
The winner is not just a high performer, but a person who leaves a lasting impact through the people they have helped grow, succeed and lead.
 
 
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
This award recognises Australia’s top new fund manager (across all asset classes),
considering not only the delivery of their performance but also the aptitude and acumen to build a solid portfolio and client proposition.
 
 
THOUGHT LEADER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an individual who has consistently influenced the way the industry thinks about investing, markets and risk. The winner is someone whose ideas, insights and commentary have helped advisers, investors and peers better understand markets, anticipate change and navigate complexity.
 
This is about genuine intellectual leadership that shapes strategy, debate and decision-making across the profession.
 
 
LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION
This award recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary and enduring contribution to Australia’s funds management and investment industry. It celebrates a career of leadership, integrity, innovation and influence — someone whose work has shaped markets, built institutions, developed talent and raised standards across the profession.

Group category finalists are selected by our Exclusive Partner Lonsec. 

  • Australian Large Cap Equity Fund of the Year
  • Australian Small Cap Equity Fund of the Year
  • GEQ Small and Mid Caps Fund of the Year
  • GEQ Developed Markets Large Caps Fund of the Year
  • Global Emerging Market Equity Fund of the Year
  • Australian Property Securities Fund of the Year
  • Global Property Securities Fund of the Year
  • Infrastructure Securities Fund of the Year
  • Unlisted Real Assets Fund of the Year
  • Passive-Equities Fund of the Year
  • Passive-Fixed iIncome/Alternatives Fund of the Year
  • Responsible Investment Fund of the Year
  • Innovation Award of the Year
  • Emerging Manager of the Year
  • Australian Bonds Fund of the Year
  • Global Bonds Fund of the Year
  • Unconstrained Bonds Fund of the Year
  • Specialised Income Fund of the Year
  • Private Equity Fund of the Year
  • Private Debt Fund of the Year
  • Multi-Asset – Superannuation Option Fund of the Year
  • Multi-Asset – Multi-Manager Fund of the Year
  • Multi-Asset – Diversified Fund of the Year
  • Liquid Alternatives Fund of the Year