Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

15 August 2026

Home / 347

2020 Morningstar Fund Manager of the Year awards

A global investment manager known for its high-quality portfolio managers, in-depth research and impressive line-up of strategies has been awarded Morningstar's Fund Manager of the Year.

Fidelity International (pictured), which invests $482.8 billion on behalf of investors globally, took home the top honour at an award ceremony on Friday surrounded by Sydney's investment management community.

Fidelity International director of research Viral Patel thanked his team and clients for their ongoing support and trust.

"On behalf of the Johnson family, who for fifty years steadfastly made sure that their support for making money for our clients has been absolute. On behalf of Paul Taylor, who founded our Australian office and is a legendary investor. On behalf of a good global collaborative investment platform that helps hat-trick winners like James. And on behalf of all employees. In the presence of great fund managers, we humbly and gratefully accept this award," he said.

Fidelity was a stand-out choice for this years' award due to its impressive line-up of strategies that consistently outperform peers and indices across multiple asset classes, said Aman Ramrakha, Morningstar director of manager research ratings, Asia Pacific.

"Harnessing the scale of a manager this size can be challenging, but Fidelity has proven to be a reliable choice for Australian investors in 2019," he said.

Fidelity Future Leader portfolio manager James Abela also nabbed the award for Fund Manager of the Year: Domestic Equities - Small Cap for the third year in a row, owing to outstanding long-term outperformance.

"We wouldn't do this if we didn't love it," Abela said in the acceptance of the award. "For what we do for our clients, what we do for the industry. It is our life's work. It's decades of work. May we always love it and continue to do it for many years to come."

Fidelity International is known by Australian investors for its wide range of funds including the Australian Equities fund, overseen by Paul Taylor, and Kate Howitt's Australian Opportunities Fund.

Fidelity has also joined a growing list of Australian asset managers launching active ETF strategies, having listed an ASX-listed clone of the Fidelity Global Emerging Markets fund (FEMX) in 2018, overseen by Alex Duffy.

The award for Global Equities went to Franklin Global Growth, while Hyperion Asset Management was named top of the class in the Domestic Equities - Large Cap category. Silver-rated Hyperion Australian Growth Companies was the top returning large-cap Aussie equity fund (under coverage) in 2019, returning 33.66 per cent.

Award finalists and winners are determined by a combination of qualitative research by Morningstar's manager research analysts; risk-adjusted medium- to long-term performance track records; and performance in the 2019 calendar year.

To receive the overall Fund Manager of the Year award, a fund manager must have offered products in multiple award categories or delivered an outstanding outcome for investors.

The event, which coincided with the end of half-year reporting season, was well attended by over 150 investment managers.

Morningstar Australia Awards winners by category

Overall Fund Manager of the Year

  • Fidelity International - Winner
  • Hyperion Asset Management
  • Western Asset Management

Fund Manager of the Year: Undiscovered Manager

  • GAM Systematic Alternative Risk Premia - Winner
  • GQG Partners
  • Legg Mason Western Asset Global Bond

Fund Manager of the Year: Domestic Equities - Large Cap

  • Hyperion Asset Management - Winner
  • Greencape Capital
  • Platypus Asset Management

Fund Manager of the Year: Domestic Equities - Small Caps

  • Fidelity International - Winner
  • First Sentier Investors
  • Hyperion Asset Management

Fund Manager of the Year: Fixed Interest

  • Legg Mason Western Asset – Winner
  • Colonial First State FirstChoice Investments
  • PIMCO Australia

Fund Manager of the Year: Global Equities

  • Franklin Global Growth - Winner
  • VanEck Vectors QUAL
  • Zurich Global Growth (American Century Investments)

Fund Manager of the Year: Listed Property & Infrastructure

  • Pendal Group - Winner
  • Cromwell Property Group
  • Magellan Global Infrastructure

Fund Manager of the Year: Multisector

  • Vanguard Investments Australia - Winner
  • Advance Asset Management
  • AustralianSuper

 

Emma Rapaport is the editor of Morningstar.com.au

Try Morningstar Investor for free

 

  •   4 March 2020
  •      
  •   

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

The time for bonds has come

Does Barrenjoey hold the key to Magellan's fortunes?

A different approach to equity income investing

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

Ranking three common retirement strategies

The defining challenge of retirement isn't just about building wealth, it's about converting your lifetime savings into sustainable income. A holistic understanding of different strategies can improve long-term outcomes.

Are you making these SMSF mistakes?

After four decades advising investors, there are a few common mistakes I've seen SMSF investors make. From holding too much cash and chasing yield to overtrading and trusting tips. Are these errors costing you?

Australia has saved $4.5 trillion for retirement. Here's what matters more

Most Australians approaching retirement can tell you the exact dollar value of their super account. But success depends on more than a sizeable balance. Here's four key questions to ask yourself at the start of the financial year. 

Lithium's latest drop and what it means for ASX investors

Lithium's latest sell-off has punished ASX miners as prices remain hostage to shifting expectations. The key challenge is navigating a market prone to extreme volatility despite a strong case for the long-term demand outlook.

Retirement spending is not one-size-fits-all

New data challenges the idea that Australians are underspending their super. The bigger issue may be helping retirees navigate complexity, make confident decisions and use their savings to support security, wellbeing and choice.

Latest Updates

Retirement

Will you run out of money in retirement?

Fear of running out has become a defining retirement anxiety. Why do some retirees die with substantial wealth while others deplete their nest egg? Evidence suggests the answer is more complicated than we think. 

Investing

The investment that sidesteps the new tax traps

Tax rules have changed, but many investors are still using yesterday’s strategies. Insurance bonds may offer advantages for those seeking greater control, tax efficiency and certainty about their wealth.

Shares

The role of shareholder yield in a portfolio

Investors may be overlooking a timeless source of returns in a volatile market. The companies that consistently generate and return cash to shareholders have often proved remarkably resilient through uncertainty.

Shares

Australian inflation still well above the RBA's target

The RBA has spent more than three decades pursuing its 2%-3% inflation target. But the numbers tell a far more complicated story than the headlines. The results may surprise both its strongest critics and most loyal defenders.

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 5 months in

Retirement planning doesn't end when work does. Five months in, Joanne reflects on retiring at a different time to your spouse, coping with setbacks and the importance of rest. Some lessons only become clear after the fact.

Latest from Morningstar

What 6 key market indicators are telling investors right now

Are markets still expensive? There are the seven key indicators every investor needs to know. From gold and equities to bonds, oil, bitcoin and the US dollar. The data reveals where opportunities and risks may lie for investors today.

Investing

Can you ride the AI bubble without overpaying?

AI may prove as transformative as the internet, but markets are behaving as if success is guaranteed. As capital races towards unprecedented levels, investors should ask whether enthusiasm is getting ahead of reality.

Sponsors

Alliances

  • ASA-Logo-RGB-ActiveGreen-web.png

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.