Celebrating excellence at the heart of Australia’s investment industry.
The Fund Manager of the Year Awards is the ultimate mark of distinction in Australia’s investment landscape. Each year, it shines a spotlight on the visionaries, innovators and leaders setting the benchmark for excellence. Celebrated across the wealth management sector, the Awards are more than an event, they are the stage where the industry’s most influential reputations are defined. By extending its partnership, Lonsec secures a visible presence at the heart of the industry, standing alongside the trailblazers of funds management as they are recognised at the highest level.
Lonsec has been a key partner of the Fund Manager of the Year Awards and I would like to invite Lonsec to continue with their ongoing support. The awards are Australia’s premier celebration of fund management excellence, bringing together the industry’s most influential leaders, innovators and rising stars. The awards have highlighted emerging talent, boutique innovators and leading institutions, bringing together over 500 industry professionals each year.
This partnership has created a strong foundation for growth and delivered real value for Lonsec. Looking ahead to 2026, 2027 and 2028, we’d love for Lonsec to continue and evolve its partnership with the awards. Together, we can grow the scale and impact of the event, while giving Lonsec more influence in shaping the program and the way it’s presented. The awards offer a unique chance to connect with advisers, dealer groups, and institutional leaders, while putting Lonsec front and centre at the heart of Australia’s investment community.
Next year, the awards will have a refreshed, more engaging format. The day will start with an Executive Breakfast Roundtable, bringing
together finalists for a high-level discussion and recorded to create post-event content.
The main celebration will be a lively Friday lunchtime event at the Hyatt Regency, Darling Harbour, with live entertainment, premium dining and expanded award categories showcasing Lonsec’s involvement. After the ceremony, guests will be invited to an exclusive celebration, providing a premium networking opportunity in a relaxed, memorable setting.
This evolution ensures that Lonsec remains at the centre of Australia’s most respected recognition platform for fund managers, with outstanding visibility and opportunities to engage with the people shaping the industry. We’d love to chat about how we can tailor the partnership to support Lonsec’s goals while continuing to celebrate the best of the sector.
Thanks so much for Lonsec’s ongoing support, we’re excited about the next chapter of the Fund Manager of the Year Awards and the chance to continue working with you.
Awards Strengthening the partnership
Date: June 2026 (tbc)
Location: Hyatt Regency, Sydney (tbc)
Since 2023, Money Management and Lonsec have proudly presented the Fund Manager of the Year Awards, the industry’s most prestigious celebration. Over three consecutive years, the awards have shone a spotlight on rising stars, boutique innovators, and leading institutions, uniting over 500 senior decision-makers at an unforgettable black-tie gala.
Together, we’ve built a powerful platform for growth, delivering standout outcomes for the industry and ensuring Lonsec achieves a clear, measurable return on investment.
Taking the awards to the next level
Evolving the partnership
To meet rising production costs and keep delivering the industry’s premier awards experience, we’re introducing a Research Partner Fee for the Fund Manager of the Year Awards. This evolution allows us to grow the scale and impact of the event, while giving Lonsec greater input and influence in shaping the program.
It aligns us around new shared objectives that drive stronger outcomes for both partners, and delivers enhanced visibility, recognition, and brand control within Australia’s leading Fund Management Awards.
The result: a revitalised, best-in-class celebration that cements Lonsec’s central role in the industry’s most prestigious awards.
Driving growth and impact
Future objectives
Following our recent discussions with Lonsec, we have aligned on the following priorities for the evolution of the Fund Manager of the Year Awards:
Refresh the format – Move away from the traditional black-tie gala and reshape the event style and location.
Enhance networking and engagement – Create more opportunities for meaningful connections among attendees.
Broaden audience appeal – Attract greater participation from advisers and dealer groups.
Increase Lonsec involvement – Greater role in the program, including presenting additional award categories.
Data and insights access – Provide Lonsec with access to attendee information for deeper engagement.
Fund Manager of the Year Awards
The new look
To deliver on our shared objectives, we are reshaping the awards into a fresh, modern, and highly engaging format:
Executive Breakfast Roundtable – Start the day with a high-level discussion among C-suite finalists.
Friday lunchtime awards – Shifted earlier in the day to emphasise celebration and accessibility.
Premium venue – Hyatt Regency, Darling Harbour, offering a central and prestigious setting.
Cocktail dress code – Elevating the style while creating a more relaxed, festival atmosphere.
Live entertainment – Hot Potato Band to drive energy and fun, replacing the traditional gala format.
Interactive activations – 360° photobooth and more, encouraging networking, engagement, and data capture for Lonsec.
Exclusive Zephyr rooftop EOFY celebration – Highend celebration, hosted by Lonsec, with enhanced networking and premium brand visibility.
Awards morning Executive Roundtable
On the morning of the awards, eight C-suite executives from finalist firms will join a high-level discussion on the industry’s future. Chaired by Money Management with a Lonsec representative, the session will showcase Lonsec’s thought leadership and be professionally recorded for engaging post-event content, distributed via Money Management.
Exclusive access to top industry leaders.
Ability to shape and lead discussion topics.
Lonsec speaker participation at the roundtable.
Prominent Lonsec branding on the day.
Branding across all post-roundtable content.
Dedicated marketing campaign to promote content.
Full access to event footage and content assets.
Outcome: A premium engagement platform that extends Lonsec’s visibility, influence, and thought leadership beyond the awards.
Awards day
The awards celebration
Hosted at the Hyatt Regency, overlooking Darling Harbour, the awards will take place over an exclusive lunchtime celebration designed to deliver energy, prestige, and connection.
Live entertainment – Hot Potato Band leading the entrance and setting an energetic tone.
Premium dining – A three-course gourmet lunch served throughout the ceremony.
High-Profile MC – An engaging host to elevate the mood and drive the celebration.
Expanded award categories for Lonsec –
Strengthening Lonsec’s visibility and leadership presence on the day.
Exclusive to Lonsec Lonsec EOFY celebration
Hosted at Zephyr Rooftop Bar in Darling Harbour, this premium event will provide guests with a truly memorable experience in a stunning harbourfront setting.
Designed to celebrate the end of the financial year in style, the evening will combine an elevated atmosphere with exclusive networking opportunities, positioning Lonsec at the heart of a sophisticated and unforgettable occasion.
Lonsec EOFY celebration
Sponsorship benefits
Pre-awards promotion
Dedicated email to all finalists and guests announcing the Lonsec EOFY Celebration.
Inclusion in pre-event comms, positioning Lonsec as the driving force behind the celebration.
Lead generation and data
Guests register via a Lonsecbranded landing page with all consenting data shared with Lonsec.
To access the EOFY Celebration, guests must collect a premium Lonsec guest card from a meeting point, booth, or representative during the event, driving direct engagement and conversations.
Invitations to be available to dealer groups and advisers to attend the exclusive celebration.
Brand awareness and visibility
MC announcement of the Lonsec EOFY Celebration during the awards, with directions provided to guests.
Lonsec branding integrated throughout the event:
‘Walk of Fame’ floor decal (redcarpet style).
Lonsec signage, banners, and branding across TV screens.
Relocation of existing banners from the awards to the rooftop.
Guest Experience
Complimentary drinks for after-party attendees, courtesy of Lonsec.
A vibrant, festival-style continuation of the awards celebration — ensuring Lonsec is at the centre of the night’s most memorable moments.
Outcome: The EOFY Celebration positions Lonsec as the face of the celebration, delivering unmatched visibility, premium client engagement, and exclusive networking opportunities with finalists and guests.
Exclusive to Lonsec Partnership inclusions
Principal partner exclusivity – Locked-in premium position across all marketing.
Exclusive CEO Roundtable sponsorship – Thought leadership and access to C-suite executives.
Brand activation sponsorships – 360° photobooth and ‘Walk of Fame’ entry experience.
Awards leadership – Greater influence in shaping the program, plus expanded category presentation opportunities.
EOFY Celebration ownership – Exclusive sponsorship of the Zephyr Rooftop EOFY Celebration.
Branded access cards – Lonsec-branded EOFY Celebration invitations to finalists and select guests.
Comprehensive branding – Presence across all three parts of the event: Roundtable, Awards and EOFY Celebration.
Data and insights – Full delegate data shared with Lonsec for deeper engagement.
Sustaining Australia’s premier awards
Why introduce a fee?
Rising production costs make it essential to evolve our model, while we remain committed to maintaining the industry’s most prestigious awards at the highest standard. To stay market-leading, we also need to invest in growth and innovation, including initiatives such as the roundtable, EOFY Celebration, and enhanced content.
Proposed Partnership Model
3-year commitment
The value of this model
Ensures the long-term sustainability and growth of the Fund Manager of the Year Awards. Positions Lonsec not just as Research Partner, but as a Principal-level partner with premium access. Creates a stable platform for ongoing innovation and greater industry impact.
Partnership packages Alternative packages
While our recommendation is the full Principal Partner Package, we have also outlined alternative tiers of investment to suit Lonsec’s budgets:
Tier 2 (3-year commitment)
Exclusive CEO Roundtable sponsorship – Lead the flagship executive discussion.
Awards Gala Dinner – Maintain current format with premium celebration and networking.
Principal Partner Exclusivity – Premium positioning across all marketing.
Awards leadership – Enhanced influence in program development and additional category presentations.
Comprehensive branding – Visibility across both the roundtable and the awards.
Tier 3 (3-year commitment)
Awards Gala Dinner – Maintain existing premium awards celebration.
Principal Partner exclusivity – Premium positioning across all marketing.
Awards leadership – Opportunity to present additional categories on stage.
