Our Risk Management Philosophy underlies Merill's Investment Approach. Aiming at controling the overall risk taken, our Investment Approach is based on ongoing monitoring of the portfolio's risk exposure and to invest in line with the risk parameters set.
Our Core Strategy is that of maximising returns for the level of risk taken to maintain sufficient risk adjusted returns - a philosophy that has been proven to be reslient during times of crisis.
The Scheme, as a self-managed UCITS, has a permanent risk management function that has been delegated to Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors. In view that directors of Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors are also appointed as members of the Board of the Company and also as members of the Investment Committee, the Board has decided to appoint an independent member of the Board of Directors as Risk Monitor, with functions to oversee the risk management function.
To maintain hierarchical and functional independence, the board of directors of Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors have established a Risk and Regulatory Committee, responsible to ensure the effective implementation of the risk management process by the Portfolio Manager. This approach provides the hierarchical and operational independence that the Sicav requires to maintain a robust and pervasive risk culture within the Company.
The Risk and Regulatory Committee is chaired by Mr. Andrew Briffa.
Mr. Briffa holds the position of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer with Atlas Insurance PCC Ltd. He has over 13 years of experience in the insurance sector. Prior to joining Atlas Insurance, Andrew headed the Actuarial Services at PwC. Andrew has also held the position of Chief Risk & Operations Officer with Oney Insurance PCC Ltd and also has regulatory background, having started off his career at the Insurance and Pensions Supervision Unit at the MFSA. Andrew is an actuary and a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, UK. Andrew is also a council member of the Malta Association of Risk Management and a committee member of the Malta Actuarial Society.