Hearts & Minds,Third Link Growth Fund merge

Hearts & Minds Investments and Third Link Growth Fund have announced a merger, with Hearts & Minds taking over the role of investment management of the fund.

As part of the merger, the fund will be renamed the Hearts & Minds Australian Equities Growth Fund. The change will help the fund build on an established track record of Hearts & Minds and expand its reach to a broader investor audience.

Third Link Growth Fund founding director and portfolio manager Chris Cuffe said: "Hearts & Minds is a natural home for Third Link. The two organisations share a commitment to bringing together leading investment managers, creating value for investors and using investment success to support the community."

Hearts & Minds Investments provides investors with exposure to a global equities portfolio built from investment ideas contributed by fund managers on a pro bono basis. In place of traditional investment management fees, Hearts & Minds Investments supports leading Australian medical research organisations.

"This transition will preserve the elements that have made Third Link distinctive while giving the fund access to the broader resources and reach of Hearts & Mind," Cuffe said.

Cuffe is currently the chair of Hearts & Minds Investments Limited, which listed on the ASX in November 2018.

Hearts & Minds Investments managing director Richard Howes welcomed Third Link's investors, managers and team to the firm.

"Third Link has an impressive record of combining investment performance with charitable impact. We are pleased to have the opportunity to build on that foundation and to broaden the fund's reach," Howes said.

"We are grateful to Chris Cuffe for what he has built and for agreeing to transfer management of the fund for nominal consideration in order that we can continue to pursue philanthropic objectives in relation to the fund and ensure its long-term sustainability."

Since inception, the Third Link Growth Fund has delivered annualised investment returns of 9.22% and donated over $25.3 million to Australian charities.

"This next chapter represents an opportunity to build on everything that has made Third Link distinctive over the past 18 years, while benefiting from the broader resources, investment expertise and distribution network of Hearts & Minds," Cuffe said.

"We extend our sincere thanks to our investors, underlying fund managers and charity partners for their ongoing support and contribution to Third Link's journey."