Frontier Advisors to advise on University of Adelaide endowment fund

After what the University of Adelaide called an “extensive evaluation process”, the university selected Frontier to work on its endowment fund’s strategy, structure and monitoring.

The “group of eight” (Go8) university, one of the eight leading research-intensive universities in Australia, uses the endowment to fund research projects, prizes and scholarships.

“Frontier offers leading capability across the critical areas we need to consider in the stewardship of the University’s endowment funds. They have excellent knowledge of the university sector, a strong performance record, and, as somewhat of an added bonus, their team will be led by a University Alumna,” said University of Adelaide acting chief operating officer Peter Prest.

The announcement makes the University of Adelaide the fifth Australian university to appoint Frontier as its independent asset adviser. 

Frontier also works with Deakin University and the University of Tasmania, as well as fellow Go8 members, Monash University and the University of NSW.

Frontier Advisors chief executive Andrew Polson said, “It’s a tremendous privilege to work with the university to ensure the endowment fund can continue to financially support the progress of its students and strong commitment to research excellence.”

In addition to the firm’s reputation and unconflicted advice model, the university said Frontier’s Adelaide-based staff also factored into the selection.

“We have a growing client base in South Australia now, supported by our locally based senior consultant Claire Casucci, so we’re excited to add the University of Adelaide to our stable of local clients and further our contribution to South Australia,” Mr Polson said.