Russell Investments and Invest Blue open the door to private markets for Australian retail investors
New Cornerstone offering provides diversified access to private equity, private credit and real assets in a single portfolio
Sydney, 27 October 2025 – Russell Investments and financial advice firm Invest Blue today announced the launch of the Cornerstone Private Markets Managed Portfolio, offering everyday advised clients exposure to private assets that remain out of reach for most Australians.
Private companies are staying private longer – and some may never go public at all. This means many investors risk missing out on the growth stories driving industries of the future. The Cornerstone Private Markets Managed Portfolio seeks to solve this gap by offering a simple, advised pathway into private equity, private credit and real assets.
With a minimum initial $25,000 investment the new portfolio uses a separately managed account structure, developed in collaboration with Ironbark, to give qualified advised clients of Invest Blue diversified access to institutional-quality private market opportunities within structures designed for retail investors.
Partner perspectives
“For too long, access to private markets has been limited to large institutions and ultra-wealthy investors. But many of the world’s most innovative and successful companies are choosing to stay private. This managed portfolio allows our clients to participate in those opportunities – through a carefully designed structure for retail investors,” said Chris Ogilvie, Chief Investment Officer at Invest Blue.
“Russell Investments has been investing in private markets for more than 50 years. Our global scale and manager research means we can help open the door for Australian advised clients to participate in institutional-grade opportunities – overcoming many of the traditional barriers faced by retail investors” said Neil Rogan, Head of Distribution, Australia at Russell Investments.
“Private markets are increasingly being recognised by advisers as an important source of diversification and long-term return potential. At Ironbark, we saw a real opportunity to democratise access to these assets through a retail-compatible managed account structure that features institutional-grade controls around governance, transparency, and liquidity management” said Alex Donald, CEO, Investment Solutions, Ironbark.
How the portfolio works
The Cornerstone Private Markets Managed Portfolio:
- Invests across 3 to 15 holdings in private equity, private credit and real assets -- delivering the type of diversification across private markets assets normally only possible for institutional investors
- Combines evergreen, open-ended strategies with listed exposures, such as exchange-traded funds, to help provide staged access to capital
- Monthly pricing and platform-based reporting
- Will initially be available on the BT Panorama platform to advisers who meet criteria set by Invest Blue.
Global research and manager selection
Russell Investments’ global private markets research platform continuously monitors more than 9,000 private markets strategies worldwide, but only about 100 currently earn a “buy” rating.
“Manager selection is critical in private markets, where performance can vary widely. Our global scale allows us to identify and partner with the very best, giving retail clients institutional-grade access with greater confidence,” Rogan said.
Why this matters
- Companies are staying private longer: the average time before IPO has more than doubled globally in the past two decades.
- Retail investors risk being locked out of value creation if they only access companies after they go public.
- Private markets are growing rapidly, now representing trillions of dollars globally and playing a central role in innovation, infrastructure and financing.
Media enquiries
Darren Snyder
darren@honner.com.au
0434 827 650
About Russell Investments
Russell Investments is a leading global investment solutions partner providing a wide range of investment capabilities to institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and individual investors around the world. Since 1936, Russell Investments has been building a legacy of continuous innovation to deliver exceptional value to clients, working every day to improve people’s financial security. The firm has A$557 billion in assets under management (as of 9/30/2025) for clients in 30 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments has offices in 17 cities around the world.
Russell Investments' ownership is composed of a majority stake held by funds managed by TA Associates Management, L.P., with a significant minority stake held by funds managed by Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Certain of Russell Investments' employees and Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC also hold minority, non-controlling, ownership stakes.
About Invest Blue
Recognised as Australia’s trusted home of great advice, Invest Blue is driven by a vision of empowering families to live their best possible life. With a strong commitment to holistic financial advice, it has become a leading force in the financial services industry. The Invest Blue team includes 125 advisers operating across 30+ locations in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, and Tasmania, servicing 14,500+ clients. Invest Blue is dedicated to creating an exceptional workplace for its people. With 450 employees and an engagement score exceeding 88.8%, Invest Blue has earned recognition as a Certified Top 50 Great Place to Work and a Certified Great Place to Work for Women.
About Ironbark Asset Management
Founded in 2009, Ironbark delivers a range of innovative investment solutions across funds management and corporate trustee services. Combining its passion for finding the market’s best opportunities with a client-led, collaborative approach, Ironbark’s solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of its diversified client base. A trusted provider of investment solutions, with over $90.67bn funds under management, trusteeship and advice (as at June 30, 2025).
Issued by Russell Investment Management Ltd ABN 53 068 338 974, AFSL 247185 (RIM).
This document provides general information for financial advisers who are AFS licence holders or representatives only. This document contains factual information only. The information provided is not intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. RIM is not providing financial product advice in this document. This document has not been prepared having regard to any investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision, an investor must obtain advice from a financial adviser and consider whether that advice is appropriate to their objectives, financial situation or needs.
This information has been compiled from sources RIM considers to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. Any past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Any potential investor should also consider the latest financial product disclosure document in respect of the Cornerstone Managed Portfolio (Disclosure Document’) in deciding whether to make or continue to hold, an investment in the Cornerstone Managed Portfolio. The Disclosure Document can be obtained by contacting a financial adviser or the platform operator(s) offering the Cornerstone Managed Portfolio.
RIM is part of Russell Investments. RIM is the investment consultant to Invest Blue Pty Ltd for the Cornerstone Retirement Solution and Cornerstone Managed Portfolios. RIM is also the investment adviser to the issuers of the Cornerstone Managed Portfolios.
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