Delaware Investments announces intent to acquire Bennett Lawrence Management, LLC

• Seasoned small- and mid-cap U.S. growth investors to join the Delaware Investments stable of boutique equity investment teams
• Alex Ely to lead firm’s seventh boutique equity investment team

Delaware Investments announced today that it intends to acquire Bennett Lawrence Management, a team of experienced domestic growth investment managers with more than $330 million in assets under management.* Delaware Investments expects the transaction to close during the first quarter of 2016.

Bennett Lawrence, based in New York, was founded in 1995 by Van Schreiber and Jane Fisher to serve institutional and individual investors. Schreiber will join Delaware Investments as a senior portfolio manager, serving the firm’s all-cap growth clients, and Fisher will serve as the team’s investment specialist. Alexander Ely will lead the investment team as chief investment officer. Other members of the team include Senior Equity Analysts Dina Pliotis and Nate Mahrer, and Equity Analysts Amy Zhang and Traver Davis. Ely will serve as co-portfolio manager on the all-cap growth strategy and continue to manage the small- and mid-cap growth strategies.

Once part of Delaware Investments, they will focus on developing small- and mid-cap growth strategies. Ely will report to Delaware Investments President Shawn Lytle as a member of the firm’s seventh boutique equity investment team.

"We're thrilled to bring the Bennett Lawrence team into the firm," said Lytle. "The addition of this team allows us to offer more equity investment styles and solutions to clients and is a strong fit within our multiboutique equity structure."

"We are excited to begin the next chapter in our development as active growth equity investors," said Ely. "We are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of the distribution and support infrastructure capabilities that are part of Delaware so we can focus on what we do best: build strong growth portfolios for our clients."

"Macquarie Investment Management aims to meet investors' needs by maintaining a global operating platform that can attract and retain leading investment teams across a diverse range of asset classes," said Ben Bruck, chairman of Delaware Investments and head of Macquarie Investment Management. "We believe the Bennett Lawrence team makes a compelling addition to our global capabilities."

Upon the close of this acquisition, Delaware Investments will offer separate accounts and asset management through sub-advisory relationships in the small and mid-cap growth space.

*As at 30 September, 2015

About Delaware Investments

Delaware Investments, a member of Macquarie Group, is a global asset management firm that offers a wide variety of equity and fixed income solutions for individual and institutional investors. Through teams of disciplined and talented investment professionals, the firm is committed to delivering long-term, consistent performance. In an ever-changing global marketplace, Delaware Investments, with US$165 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2015, has helped its clients move steadily forward for more than 85 years.

Delaware Investments is supported by the resources of Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY), a global provider of asset management, investment, banking, financial and advisory services with US$354 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2015.

Delaware Investments refers to Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Macquarie Group refers to Macquarie Group Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.

Neither Delaware Investments nor its affiliates noted in this document are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL). MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise.

Shareholder contact 
Delaware Distributors, L.P.
+1 800 523-1918

Media contact
Delaware Investments
Marlene Petter 
215 255-1427

or

Daniela Palmieri
215 255-8878