100 People Behind Bay Business - 2023

PROPERTY – COMMERCIAL | PEOPLE
MATT McHARDY
GENERAL MANAGER, INVESTOR RELATIONShips, PMG FUNDS
Matt McHardy, PMG Funds’ GM of Investor Relationships shares his thoughts on
investing and navigating turbulent times, sharing the growth story of PMG over his seven
years with the organisation.
One of the first things you’ll notice about
Matt McHardy is his calm, reassuring
demeanour. Which certainly helps when
financial chat of late has been akin to
panic at the disco.
Talking through his role at PMG, it’s clear he’s an
expert in his field; easily traversing complexities
of the economy, breaking it down to be easily
understood and articulating why this topsy turvy
period is nothing for investors to fear. In fact, he
says that rather than fear a pessimistic outlook we
should be preparing for the opportunities that will
come with it.
Downturns, he shares, are a natural part of
economic cycles.
“New Zealand has had seven recessions over the
“AS AN ORGANISATION, WE’RE CONSTANTLY
ENSURING THAT OUR FUNDS ARE AS ROBUST
AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE TO DELIVER REGULAR
AND SUSTAINABLE RETURNS TO OUR CLIENTS. THIS
MEANS REGULARLY REVIEWING THE PORTFOLIO ASSET
ALLOCATION, OUR LEVELS OF GEARING AND OUR
INTEREST RATE HEDGING STRATEGY.”
raising activities that fund portfolio growth and
ultimately offer stronger, more resilient returns to
investors.
“Since then, the organisation has continued
to mature. We’ve implemented solid governance
structures and process, obtained a managed
investment scheme licence and developed marketleading
investment products for the unlisted
property funds sector – all while remaining faithful
to a commitment to put our investors and tenants
at the centre of everything we do.”
Seven years on, with over $900 million of assets
under management and more than 4,000 investors,
Matt’s experience and expertise continues to
play a huge part in PMG’s success.
“As we move into a new economic
environment, it’s crucial that we
stay close to our investors, now
more than ever. There’s no doubt
investor confidence has taken a
hit over the last 12 months; but
equally we know it’s important for
investors to understand where the
opportunities are.”
Like most financial experts, Matt
is keeping a close eye on economic
markers like official cash rates,
employment figures,
inflation
rates and
past 50 years. During those recessions, property
and share prices have fallen, but they’ve rebounded
every time. Often the fastest gains come during
that rebound, but unfortunately, it’s almost
impossible to predict exactly when it will happen.
“That’s why good financial advisers are
so insistent that you keep investing across a
diversified range of asset classes, over the long
run. When the market turns, which can happen
suddenly, you’re therefore positioned to make the
most of a buoyant recovery.”
EXCELLENCE DRIVES GROWTH
For evidence, Matt points to the growth of PMG
Funds, which he joined in 2015 from BNZ, when the
organisation owned only a handful of investment
properties and he was its fifth employee.
“PMG was looking to establish what is now its
Investor Relationships team to drive the capital
36 | 100 – PEOPLE BEHIND BAY BUSINESS | 2023