Hall, big winner at Canadian Investment awards

Jim Hall was the big winner at the 2010 Canadian Investment Awards in downtown Toronto last night.

Hall, the chairman and director of research for Mawer Investment Management Ltd. in Calgary, took home the award for Morningstar Equity Fund Manager of the Year.

“Jim Hall’s track record, not only over the past year but over the long haul is outstanding,” said David O’Leary, director of fund analysis for Morningstar Canada, announcing the award. “While we looked primarily at Mawer Canadian Equity to evaluate his performance, he is responsible for building a lot of the research processes across all of the Mawer funds. His effective risk management is evidenced by how he did through the downturn and the ensuing rally.”

Presented by Morningstar, the 16th edition of Canada’s premier annual awards for investment products was hosted by CBC’s Peter Mansbridge and honoured companies and individuals that have made a difference in the lives of investors through superior investment products, service, and education.

The highlight of the event was the recognition of two veterans of the investment industry. Eric Bushell, senior vice-president, Portfolio Management and Chief Investment Officer of Signature Global Advisors, was honoured with the Morningstar Fund Manager of the Decade Award while the Career Achievement Award went to Scotia’s John W. Kellett for more than four decades of distinguished service in the investment industry. Bushell was the Morningstar Equity Fund Manager of the Year in 2009.

“When you look over 10 years, he has been a very consistent performer and has done a great job managing risk. He has also been responsible for the architecture of a strong, credible team that manages more than $24 billion in total assets across the Signature line of funds,” O’Leary said presenting the award.

The award for Fixed Income Fund Manager of the Year went to TD Asset Management Fixed Income Team for their “rigorous, disciplined, and methodical approach to fixed- income investing” while Dynamic Funds won for Analysts’ Choice Investment Fund Company of the Year Award.

Photo Caption: CI Investments Inc., the 2009 Analysts’ Choice Investment Fund Company of the Year Award Winning Team. (Photo courtesy of: CNW Group/Canadian Investment Awards)