It is with deep sorrow that I announce that Simon Marais passed away this evening after a hard-fought battle with cancer. On behalf of all at Allan Gray and Orbis, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to Simon’s family. The exceptionally positive, brave, caring and open manner in which Simon took on this disease is indicative of the incredible spirit of the man.
Simon was a constant source of inspiration for over two decades with Allan Gray and Orbis. Across both organisations, there is a palpable sense of energy, drive and determination to ensure that Allan Gray Australia serves as an enduring testament to Simon. What more can one do than inspire greatness in others.
Times like these are never easy, but we are fortunate that Simon has left our Australian firm in extremely capable hands. There are few better measures of an individual than the quality of the people that surround them, and Simon leaves an extraordinary team that is a true reflection of himself.
Simon Mawhinney, who has established a proven track record of value creation since joining the firm in 2006, will assume leadership of the firm and the investment team while Johan de Lange will continue to lead the firm’s operational activities. In addition senior analyst Dan Abeshouse has been promoted to co-portfolio manager and will assume that role from 1 July.
We have every confidence that this carefully selected team will continue the great work that Simon started, while upholding the same robust investment philosophy and core values that we have maintained over our more than 40-year history.
William Gray
Chairman, Allan Gray Australia and President, Orbis
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Equity Trustees Limited ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL No. 240975 is the issuer of units in the Allan Gray Australia managed investment funds (Allan Gray Funds) and units in the Orbis Global managed investment funds domiciled in Australia (Orbis Funds).
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. There are risks involved with investing and the value of your investments may fall as well as rise. This represents Allan Gray Australia Pty Limited and Orbis Investment Advisory Pty Limited’s view at a point in time and may provide reasoning or rationale on why we bought or sold a particular security for the Allan Gray or Orbis Funds or our clients. We may take the opposite view/position from that stated, as our view may change. This article constitutes general advice or information only and not personal financial product, tax, legal, or investment advice. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or individual needs of any particular person and may not be appropriate for you. Before deciding to acquire an interest in the Allan Gray or Orbis Funds, or before making any other investment decision, please read the relevant disclosure document available on this website. We have tried to ensure that the information here is accurate in all material respects, but cannot guarantee that it is. Target Market Determinations (TMDs) for the Allan Gray products can be found at
allangray.com.au/PDS-TMD-documents,
while TMDs for the Orbis Funds can be found at www.orbis.com.au on the 'Forms' page under 'How to Invest'. Each TMD sets out who an investment in the relevant Allan Gray or Orbis product might be appropriate for and the circumstances that trigger a review of the TMD.
You should consider such funds’ Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Information Memorandum (IM), as applicable, before acquiring or disposing units in such funds’. The PDS or IM can be obtained from www.orbis.com.au and www.allangray.com.au.