The outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) model continues to expand in its adoption and complexity. Nearly $2 trillion in assets are under OCIO management and is expected to grow significantly. There are many reasons it can make sense to outsource your chief investment officer (CIO) functions and duties, but finding the right OCIO manager is not an easy task. This is why it’s expected—and highly recommended—to partner with an OCIO search consultant who can guide both the Board of Directors and the Investment Committee through the selection process. Learn more about the key qualities of an OCIO search consultant and how your organization can benefit from a well-vetted consultant.
Senior Consultant Frank Szymanek Quoted in FIN News
PlanPILOT and its client Dominican University were recently interviewed for an article on Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) search services published by FIN News (part of NonProfit News). The article focused on how foundations and endowments are increasingly engaging an outside specialist to assist in navigating the complexity of the OCIO market.
Finding the Right OCIO Partner
As financial regulations and global markets become increasingly complex, more organizations have decided to conserve their in-house resources by outsourcing the role of the Chief Investment Officer. Organizations that partner with an outsourced CIO (OCIO) find it to be an effective solution for dedicated expertise, sophisticated research and analytics, and faster investment decision making. However, finding the right OCIO provider is becoming more difficult given the growth in the number of firms providing OCIO services and the complexity of their solutions. Managing the assets of an organization is mission-critical so it’s important not to rush into choosing an OCIO provider that may not be the right fit for your business.
Best Practices for Your OCIO Search
For generations, successful endowments, foundations, and non-profits used in-house chief investment officers (CIOs) to direct their investment programs. But in today’s market, this approach has become challenged by the complexity of available asset solutions and limitations of resources. The Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (“OCIO”) model has become a way of life to many endowments and foundations globally, and many boards have found that outsourcing the CIO role provides them with far more flexibility and a higher level of skill at a lower cost. We have outlined the best practices for conducting an OCIO search.
PlanPILOT Offering OCIO Search Services
If your company or non-profit is looking to outsource Chief Investment Officer services, you aren’t alone. Demand for Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services has skyrocketed, particularly among non-profits, driven largely by a strong desire by asset owners to increase returns. According to a 2016 Outsourced-Chief Investment Officer Survey, 41% of respondents currently outsource or plan to outsource in the next 12 months, and 70% of OCIOs granted full discretion over manager selection, compared to just 39% last year. PlanPILOT now offers OCIO search services to help you find the right provider.
The question is, why are OCIO services in greater demand than ever?