Bridge Fund Managers was founded in 2009 under the Grindrod Asset Management brand when a number of asset management projects within Grindrod Bank were grouped together under a single asset management brand. Initially there were two main business lines; Private Clients (which housed the wealth management activities) and Investment Products (which housed the unit trust and distribution capabilities). The business has enjoyed significant growth over the years, both from organic and acquisitive sources. Towards the end of 2016 the Board of Directors of Grindrod Asset Management took the decision to introduce Infinitus Holdings (Pty) Limited, an investment holding company focused on high growth businesses in the consumer, industrial and financial services sectors, as a new shareholder in the company. The Boards of Grindrod Limited, Grindrod Asset Management and Infinitus were fully supportive of this initiative and the necessary regulatory and competition approvals were secured. The transaction provided an opportunity to rebrand the business and Bridge Fund Manager came into being in late 2016. Bridges connect places, people and ideas, provide a secure and more direct route to a destination, and are custom-designed for a particular purpose and terrain. But they also require regular maintenance, just like clients’ investment portfolios and plans, to ensure that they produce the desired outcomes. We believe our new name reflects our investment approach and philosophy.
