Strong investment performance has positioned Delaware Investments for growth, says Jude T. Driscoll, president and CEO of the fund firm. Driscoll shared his insights as part of an exclusive interview with the MutualFundWire.com. He took the top posts at Delaware on January 13, replacing Charles Haldeman who left to join Putnam Investments in October.

Driscoll sees the firm's mission as getting the word out about its strong performance during this bleak time for the market. "We are just coming out into the world and people are starting to see us," he said adding that the firm is "poised for really good things."

Part of that strategy is for the Delaware to cover all of the product boxes in the different distribution channels. He said that the firm is focusing on the wirehouse, bank and independent planner channels with its managed account, 529 college savings and 401(k) administration products. The initial push, said Driscoll, is to go through those channels and create alliances.

"The backdrop is that you are delivering the correct product and doing a good job," he explained. "That way you create loyalty and trust. You make sure you are doing the right thing for the customer and the partner."

"We are focused on performance in the funds and the performance of our client service," he added. He is also careful about over promising to advisors and partners. "We are not looking to hit home runs but looking to do well for clients in strong and weak markets," he said.

During the past year that focus on performance has translated into net flows into the Delaware funds. It is also allowing Delaware to expand beyond its roots as a value shop and offer a more multi-dimensional product line-up.

One of the strongest products has been the firm's international equity offering. That capability has been added to a number of managed account platforms, said Driscoll. Delaware also took advantage of the decision by another international equity manager in those programs to close itself off to new business. That decision allowed Delaware to gain notice among advisors using those platforms.

Driscoll believes that that occurrence opened doors to the rest of its product line. "It is a matter of getting Delaware's name on the map," said Driscoll. "In each of the other asset classes we have strong performance that warrants a look." 

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