DSP Investment Managers today unveiled its new brand identity. DSP BlackRock Investment Managers will now be known as DSP Investment Managers and DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund will be known as DSP Mutual Fund.
DSP Group had signed an agreement in May 2018 to buy out BlackRock's 40% stake in their joint venture DSP BlackRock Investment Managers (earlier, DSP Group was the majority partner and owned 60% while BlackRock Inc. owned 40%). The transaction was completed on August 16, 2018. Arpwood Capital was the exclusive financial advisor and TT & A was the legal advisor to the DSP Group for the transaction.
DSP Group, headed by Hemendra Kothari, is one of the oldest and most respected financial services firms in India. DSP Group's joint venture arrangement with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers in 1996 established its retail asset management business in India, DSP Merrill Lynch Asset Management (India). This business went on to become DSP BlackRock Investment Managers in 2008 (after BlackRock Inc. took over Merrill Lynch's global asset management business in 2006. In August 2018, the DSP Group completed the buyout of BlackRock’s 40% stake in DSP BlackRock and changed its name to DSP Mutual Fund.
DSP Mutual Fund has a robust investment process in place across all its investment teams managing active as well as passive investments across both equities and fixed income. DSP Mutual Fund manages/advices assets in excess of Rs 970 billion across equity, fixed income and alternatives (as on July 31, 2018) with over 23 lakh individual investors.
New logo unveiled
DSP also unveiled its new logo which has a youthful, fresh and confident new look: with bold type, refined colors and a defining element: The Line. A simple concept, the Line connects the dots and reflects what DSP stands for: Simple. Focused. Principled. Humble. Contemporary. Visionary. Sophisticated. Agile.
The Line is also an expression of the DSP Group's strong foundation and its long-term vision, built over the past 152 years on the principles of integrity, honesty and transparency. The stability and trust that comes with this rich experience balances finely with the firm's desire to always remain contemporary, so it can continue to thrive in changing times. The Line reflects a sense of continuity and balance- connecting DSP's past to its readiness for the future and it also brings to life the firm's endeavor to cement itself as a steadfast asset management brand with a no-nonsense, no-gimmicks approach to investing, backed by the right blend of art and science.
Kalpen Parekh, President, DSP Investment Manager, said, ''I am pleased to announce our new brand identity and recognize that this comes with a huge responsibility that sets the stage for the next phase for team DSP.
We recognize that constant change in the financial world can result in investors being faced with many complex decisions to be made. The real challenge for us is to help all our clients navigate these changes in the simplest manner possible: Think simple, act simple and communicate simple.
We believe that simplicity, respect and humility will continue to define DSP. We will serve our investors and distribution partners in simple, evidence based and principled manner to make them understand the risks as well as the rewards of investing.''
Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, DSP Investment Managers, said ''The DSP name has evolved and thrived through many generations, always keeping in tune with the times to meet its demands. This is simply the next phase in our journey, which will continue to focus on making a real difference in our investors' lives.
We will continue investing in our people, our technology platforms and our relationships with clients & distribution partners, to maintain our focus on delivering long term investment excellence. We will also continue to focus on our values and principles and always do the right things for our clients with the highest integrity.
Partnering with BlackRock was a great experience and Team DSP has tremendous respect for its principles. BlackRock’s Chairman Larry Fink will remain a dear friend whose values and foresight I will continue to admire.''
