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About Us

Sustainable Growth Advisers (SGA) is a growth equity firm specializing in managing high-conviction U.S., Global, International, and Emerging Markets portfolios. Our firm was founded in 2003 by George Fraise, Gordon Marchand, and Robert Rohn. SGA has grown from managing a single portfolio, U.S. Large Cap Growth, to managing an additional six global and international portfolios. Today, our investment team encompasses three generations of investment professionals. SGA employs an experienced, talented, and globally diverse team across the organization. Since 2018, SGA has operated as an independent affiliate of Virtus Investment Partners. Virtus holds a majority stake and SGA investment professionals broadly own the remaining interest. SGA’s equity-ownership culture aligns client and firm interests, fostering high staff retention and a commitment to long-term client success. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, SGA manages $24.4 billion in assets for clients, as of June 30, 2023.

One Philosophy

One Process

One Team

ESG

Key Milestones in the Growth of Our Firm

2003: SGA Is Founded

Our firm is founded by George Fraise, Gordon Marchand, and Robert Rohn, growth equity analysts and portfolio managers who share a common vision of what an institutional investment manager should be.

2003: Launch of U.S. Large Cap Growth Portfolio

Our flagship U.S. Large Cap Growth portfolio begins utilizing a time-tested approach to quality growth investing honed by the founders over the course of their careers.

2004-2006: SGA Team Expands

Three additional principals join our team, bringing diverse backgrounds and enhanced perspective to our process.

2007: Launch of U.S. Focused Portfolio

Responding to client requests, we introduce a concentrated version of our U.S. Large Cap Growth portfolio, based on the same investment philosophy and utilizing the same strategy and team, but focused on our 10-15 highest conviction opportunities.

2010: Launch of Global Growth Portfolio

Our Global Growth strategy begins as a natural extension of our existing focus on global growth businesses; the portfolio focuses on 25-35 of the most attractive global growth businesses on our Qualified Company List.

2014: SGA Partners with Estancia Capital Management

Private equity firm Estancia Capital purchases a non-controlling minority (< 25%) stake in SGA and assists the company in enhancing its infrastructure.

2014: Continued Growth of SGA Team

Two analysts, a dedicated chief operating officer, and a client portfolio manager join our team.

2014: Launch of Emerging Markets Growth Portfolio

The strategy is managed by the same team, utilizing the same investment approach, and investing in no more than 35 high-quality businesses that we expect to benefit from the economic wealth creation taking place in emerging markets.

2015: Launch of Global Focused Portfolio

We introduce our Global Focused strategy in response to client interest; the portfolio focuses on 15-20 of the most attractive high-quality, long-term secular global growth businesses we can identify.

2015: Launch of International Growth Portfolio

As a natural extension of our global research process, the portfolio invests in the most attractive, high-quality, non-U.S., long-term secular growth businesses our team can identify.

2017: Growth of SGA Investment Team

Investment Team expands to 9.

2018: SGA Partners with Virtus Investment Partners

Estancia liquidates its interest in SGA and Virtus Investment Partners makes a majority investment in SGA. As an independent affiliate, SGA maintains our firm’s equity ownership culture, operating control, and autonomy of our investment process.

2018: Launch of Global Mid Cap Growth Portfolio

The portfolio is managed by the same team, utilizing the same investment approach, and investing in no more than 35 high quality businesses that are at an earlier stage in their growth cycle.

2019: Growth of SGA Investment Team

Investment Team expands to 11.



2022: Growth of SGA Investment Team

Investment Team expands to 13.

2023: Further Growth of SGA Team

Trading, Operations, and Business Development teams continue to grow.

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