Mackenzie Financial Corp. today announced the appointment of two new portfolio managers as sub-advisors to two funds in its Universal family.

ABN AMRO Asset Management Canada Ltd. will become sub-advisor to Mackenzie Universal World Real Estate Capital Class fund, and Aberdeen Asset Management will become sub-advisor to Mackenzie Universal Sustainable Opportunities Capital Class fund.

Both changes are effective at the close of business on June 10.

Mackenzie says ABN AMRO Asset Management is widely recognized as a leading manager of global property equity securities with an established long-term track record. With the change, Nancy Holland, head of Global Property Equities for ABN AMRO Asset Management in Chicago, will become the fund’s lead portfolio manager. Holland will be supported by a team of 10 investment professionals who cover over 300 companies listed in 24 countries around the world.

“Real estate investments tend to have a low correlation to equity and bond investments, and even property markets in different regions do not always move in step,” said David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc. “As a result, Universal World Real Estate Fund should continue to offer a unique diversification opportunity for investors.”

Based in Scotland, Aberdeen Asset Management is a recognized global leader in socially responsible investing (SRI), particularly among institutional investors with SRI requirements.

Andrew Preston, head of SRI for Aberdeen, will become the fund’s lead portfolio manager and will apply the same caliber screening as has been used for the fund previously. On June 12, Preston will be a featured speaker at the Canadian Social Investment Conference in Toronto, a bi-annual summit of the Social Investment Organization.

“Aberdeen has a valued reputation in the socially responsible investing market, particularly with institutional investors,” said Feather. “With Aberdeen leading our fund, we will be able to offer the same unparalleled expertise to retail investors.”.

Henderson Global Investors, an investment manager that Mackenzie has a 20-year partnership with, previously managed both Mackenzie funds. Mackenzie says its decision to change sub-advisors was based on the best advisory fit for the funds and was motivated by Henderson’s decision to focus their resources on several prominent funds, including acting as sub-advisor to Mackenzie Universal International Stock Fund and Mackenzie Universal European Opportunities Fund.

Henderson will also continue to co-manage a portion of Mackenzie Select Managers Fund and several other funds within the Select Managers family.