BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEPC, LLC, one of the industry’s largest independent, full-service investment consulting firms, today announced its key accomplishments in 2017 and main priorities for 2018. To maintain its position as an industry leader, NEPC continued to invest in new services, hired expert personnel, and applied time-tested research approaches to uncover new and overlooked opportunities for investors. As a result, many NEPC clients were able to capture last year’s growth in the investment markets and are well-positioned for success this year.
“Our focus on using research to build our clients’ investment programs is at the heart of NEPC’s DNA,” said Michael P. Manning, Managing Partner at NEPC. “This priority has enhanced our ability to help our clients overcome the ever-shifting challenges presented by the markets, regulators and legislators. While we provide the same level of high-quality, personalized service our clients have come to expect, we’re also actively seeking out new and innovative ways to deliver the best results possible.”
One of NEPC’s biggest successes in 2017 was its outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) discretionary business, where early and ongoing investments in personnel and technology helped meet strong client demand. The firm saw interest and growth for OCIO services across all practice areas and anticipates this will continue in 2018 and beyond.
Another key 2017 initiative was the hiring of several renowned family office professionals, including NEPC Partners Karen Harding and Kristi Hanson, to join its Private Wealth Group. NEPC has serviced private clients for many years and saw the opportunity to invest significantly in this practice area in 2017, launching a new dedicated Private Wealth office. This investment has been well-received by NEPC’s clients and the marketplace, and that momentum is expected to continue this year.
“Even as we strive to adapt to changes in the marketplace and be forward-thinkers in our industry, it’s important we never lose sight of who we are,” said Steven F. Charlton, Partner, Director of Consulting Services at NEPC. “We’ll always prioritize meeting and exceeding the needs of our clients over everything else.”
Other key highlights from 2017 include:
- The Endowment & Foundation Group expanded their scope of offerings, with a particularly impressive increase in impact investing projects. Key 2018 focus areas include advising endowments and foundations on the implications of tax reform, and continuing to lead clients through NEPC’s Total Enterprise Model analysis to understand the impact of their investment programs on their overall organizations.
- The Healthcare Group created a steady stream of surveys, white papers and educational content in 2017. In 2018, the Healthcare team will continue this creative output and selectively take on new clients, helping clients understand and focus on their Enterprise Risk through NEPC’s proprietary models.
- The Corporate Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Groups helped clients adapt to changes in the marketplace and implement OCIO programs, and ensured clients and participants continue to have the right tools and data in light of limited budgets and corporate downsizing. In 2018, these teams will continue to provide holistic planning, with an increased focus on ESG, legal and regulatory issues.
- Over the past year, NEPC increased its capabilities in working with Insurance Companies by making several strategic new hires, including Andrew Coupe, Senior Consultant. In 2018, the insurance team plans to provide both traditional and discretionary OCIO services to clients, and to continue to invest in the practice.
- In 2017, the Public Funds Group maintained its reputation as one of the top consulting groups in the market and made significant new hires, including NEPC Partner, Sam Austin. In 2018, the team plans to advise clients on the problems of aging demographics in public funds and income generation in a low yield environment.
- The Taft-Hartley Group added clients in both the construction and service industries in 2017. They also worked with investment managers in the infrastructure space to utilize union labor, and they sought investments in value-added and opportunistic real estate strategies. These initiatives continue to be the focus in 2018.
Looking ahead to 2018, NEPC’s primary goal will be to invest accordingly to give teams the resources they need to continue giving clients top-notch and forward-looking counsel.
“Continued reinvestment in the business will focus on personnel and finding new and better ways to use data to benefit our clients,” said Manning. “Given how stable the company is, we’re in the fortunate position where we can hire selectively and judiciously, with our focus on professionals who are the right fit for each team and our clients.”
About NEPC, LLC
NEPC® is an independent, full-service investment consulting firm, providing asset allocation, manager search, performance evaluation, and investment policy services. We work with discerning investors on both an advisory and discretionary basis. We service 360 retainer relationships1, representing assets of $1 trillion with approximately $62.2 billion in alternative assets, from our offices in Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Portland and San Francisco. We encourage your comments and feedback, as well as any inquiries you may have about our firm or our consulting services. Learn more at http://www.nepc.com.
1statistics as of 1/1/2018