Zurich has launched a new partnership with specialist fund manager Ellerston Capital to provide a new range of investment funds.

Zurich aims to offer one-of-a-kind funds that have an edge over mainstream funds, according to Zurich GM Investment Management Matt Drennan.

He says Zurich felt there was an opportunity to offer advisers “a truly differentiated manager” in the small companies investment space, and Ellerston fitted the bill.

“Ellerston Capital not only seeks to find the best investment ideas in Australia but also may make a small opportunistic allocation to Asian markets,” he said. “It has a long history of investing in Asia in areas where they have a skillset that enables them to gain insights into companies with extremely strong growth profiles.”

Ellerston CEO Brian O’Sullivan says Zurich’s “extensive distribution and client service combined with exclusive access to innovative products” was compelling.