Setanta Asset Management
Setanta Asset Management is a Dublin-headquartered, value-investing asset manager founded in 1998 offering global equity, European/EAFE, dividend, and multi-asset funds, distributed mainly through Irish Life and Canada Life unit-linked insurance products and institutional mandates, and operating since October 2025 under Keyridge Asset Management (€150B+ AUM) within the Great-West Lifeco group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Setanta Asset Management does
Setanta Asset Management is a Dublin-headquartered asset management firm founded in 1998 that applies a long-term, bottom-up value-investing philosophy across global equity, European/EAFE equity, dividend, and multi-asset strategies. Its core product suite includes the Global Equity Fund (60-100 stocks, the flagship product), European Equity Fund, EAFE Equity Fund, Global Dividend Fund, Income Opportunities Fund (multi-asset with a covered-option-writing income overlay targeting 4.1% annual income), Managed Fund, the ethically-screened Reditus Global Equity Fund, and a set of SAMA Multi-Asset Funds. The firm distributes through unit-linked insurance products at Irish Life Assurance (Ireland) and Canada Life Assurance Europe (Germany), via the Beresford Funds ICAV UCITS platform, through segregated mandates for institutional investors, and increasingly into Canadian and US institutional channels, with the investment team organized as sector-specialist portfolio managers under a Managing Partner model. Track record spans 27 years, with senior PMs from leading global institutions (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, State Street Global Advisors, Pioneer Investments, PIMCO, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority).
Following an October 2025 transaction, Setanta merged with Irish Life Investment Managers and the external funds business of Canada Life Asset Management within a single legal entity called Keyridge Asset Management Limited, a Dublin-headquartered platform controlled by Great-West Lifeco through Irish Life. Keyridge manages over €150 billion (€153.4B per news disclosures) with 300+ investment professionals, and Setanta continues to operate as a brand alongside the Irish Life Investment Managers brand under that umbrella, now operating with UK branch authorization from the FCA. Commercial model is institutional/wholesale asset management fee-based revenue (subscription/recurring management fees plus performance fees in select strategies), with relationship-led distribution through dedicated business development directors in Ireland (Brendan Moran), Canada (Rocco Vessio), and Germany (Jan Strobel), and minimal direct-to-consumer marketing.
Setanta Asset Management firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Setanta Asset Management
- Legal name
- Keyridge Asset Management Limited
- Website
- https://setanta-asset.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Setanta Asset Management is a Dublin-headquartered, value-investing asset manager founded in 1998 offering global equity, European/EAFE, dividend, and multi-asset funds, distributed mainly through Irish Life and Canada Life unit-linked insurance products and institutional mandates, and operating since October 2025 under Keyridge Asset Management (€150B+ AUM) within the Great-West Lifeco group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Setanta Asset Management industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Asset Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions) (FSAAACAI)
Keywords
Where Setanta Asset Management is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Setanta Asset Management business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Asset Management Fees: As an asset management firm, Setanta generates revenue primarily through management fees charged on assets under management across its various fund strategies including Global Equity, European Equity, EAFE Equity, Global Dividend, Income Opportunities, and Multi-Asset funds.
- Performance Fees: Some Setanta fund strategies may generate performance fees based on investment returns exceeding defined benchmarks or hurdle rates, particularly in the Income Opportunities Fund which targets specific annual income yields.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Fund management fees are typically based on assets under management and vary by fund strategy |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Setanta Asset Management product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Setanta Asset Management is an active asset management firm that designs, manages, and distributes investment funds applying a long-term value investing philosophy. Its product suite spans global equity, European/EAFE equity, dividend, income opportunities, multi-asset, and ethically screened strategies, distributed via segregated mandates, unit-linked insurance wrappers (Irish Life Assurance, Canada Life Assurance Europe), and UCITS sub-funds on the Beresford Funds ICAV platform. The firm operates within Keyridge Asset Management following the October 2025 merger, managing more than €150 billion in combined assets.
Product overview
Setanta Asset Management, now operating under Keyridge Asset Management following an October 2025 merger with Irish Life Investment Managers and Canada Life Asset Management, offers a suite of actively managed investment funds applying a long-term value investing philosophy. The product range spans multiple strategy suites: Global Equity (including the flagship Global Equity Fund and UCITS variant), European Equity, EAFE/Europe Equity, Global Dividend, Income (Income Opportunities Fund with standard and UCITS variants employing covered option writing strategies), and the ethically-screened Reditus Global Equity Fund. Multi-asset offerings include the Managed Fund and the three SAMA Funds (Setanta Active Multi-Asset Funds). All funds are constructed bottom-up with full adherence to the firm's investment philosophy, targeting good quality businesses at prices below intrinsic value. The combined entity manages over €150 billion in assets with over 300 investment professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Global Equity Fund Actively managed equity portfolio holding approximately 60-100 global stocks, managed by a team of five global sector specialists overseen by three lead portfolio managers. The flagship product at Setanta, representing the largest segment of assets managed.
- Setanta Global Equity Fund – UCITS UCITS-compliant sub-fund of Beresford Funds ICAV, an actively managed equity portfolio holding approximately 60-100 global stocks. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland with Citibank as custodian.
- European Equity Fund Actively managed equity portfolio holding approximately 30 stocks located in or active in Europe. Investment objective is to outperform the MSCI Europe index over the long term, with typical active share around 90%.
- EAFE Equity Fund Actively managed equity portfolio holding approximately 30-50 stocks in the European, Australasian and Far East regions. Investment objective is to outperform the MSCI EAFE benchmark over the long term, with typical active share around 90%.
- Global Dividend Fund Actively managed equity portfolio holding 30-50 global high yield stocks targeting companies where management have both the willingness and ability to distribute meaningful dividends to shareholders. Objective is to outperform the MSCI High Yield index.
- Income Opportunities Fund Actively managed portfolio primarily comprising global equities with flexibility to invest in fixed income, property (including REITs) and cash. Employs a covered option writing strategy to boost income yield. Income target for 2025 is 4.1%.
- Income Opportunities Fund – UCITS UCITS-compliant version of the Income Opportunities Fund, a sub-fund of Beresford Funds ICAV. Actively managed multi-asset portfolio with covered option writing strategy. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
- Setanta Reditus Global Equity Fund Actively managed, ethically-screened equity portfolio typically holding approximately 50-100 stocks. Excludes investments in tobacco, armaments, embryonic stem cell research, and fossil fuels. Objective is long-term capital appreciation.
- Managed Fund Actively managed multi-asset portfolio holding combination of equities, fixed income, property, commodities, cash and absolute value. Holds between 50-80% in equities. Objective is to outperform the median of competitor Managed Fund offerings over the long term.
- Setanta Active Multi-Asset Funds (SAMA Funds) Three actively managed portfolios (Multi-Asset Fund 3, 4, and 5) holding equities, bonds, property, cash and alternatives with different risk and return profiles. Categorised as Article 8 under SFDR, available via Irish Life Assurance unit-linked offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- Global Equity Fund achieved 14.4% annualized returns over 3 years, 14.2% over 5 years, and 11.5% over 15 years (as of September 2025, EUR share class)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Setanta Asset Management
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Setanta Asset Management technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Setanta Asset Management partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Keyridge Asset ManagementcoreNewly formed entity combining Setanta Asset Management, Irish Life Investment Managers, and Canada Life Asset Management's external funds business, creating a £135bn UK-based asset manager (€153.4bn). Setanta continues operating as a brand within Keyridge Asset Management. Patrick Burke serves as CEO of the new entity headquartered in Dublin.
- Irish Life Investment Managers Limited (ILIM)coreILIM acquired part of the business and assets of Canada Life Asset Management Limited and merged with Setanta Asset Management Limited, resulting in ILIM assuming sub-advisory responsibilities for several Canada Life Mutual Funds. This merger consolidated three European subsidiaries of Great-West Lifeco (Setanta, ILIM, and Canada Life Asset Management) into the new Keyridge Asset Management entity in October 2025.
- Canada Life Asset Management LimitedcoreCanada Life Asset Management's external funds business was acquired and merged with Setanta Asset Management and Irish Life Investment Managers to form Keyridge Asset Management. ILIM assumed sub-advisory responsibilities for funds previously managed by Canada Life Asset Management including the Global All Cap Equity Fund, International Value Fund, and portions of the Global Equity and Income Fund.
- Great-West LifecocoreParent company Great-West Lifeco merged its European asset management subsidiaries (Setanta, ILIM, and Canada Life Asset Management) into Keyridge Asset Management. The combined entity manages over €150 billion in assets with over 300 investment professionals, providing enhanced scale and capabilities across investment strategies.
- Beresford Funds ICAVcoreSetanta manages multiple UCITS fund sub-funds through the Beresford Funds ICAV umbrella structure, including the Setanta Global Equity Fund, Income Opportunities Fund, and Setanta Reditus Global Equity Fund. Citibank International Limited serves as custodian for the fund.
- Citibank International Limited (Ireland Branch)minorCitibank serves as custodian for the Beresford Funds ICAV, the UCITS platform through which Setanta offers its fund products. The custodian ensures safekeeping of fund assets and provides fund administration services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Setanta Asset Management competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tweedy, Browne Company: Long-tenured, deep-value global equity manager applying bottom-up fundamental research with a margin-of-safety discipline — the closest pure value-investing peer to Setanta's flagship Global Equity strategy.
- Dodge & Cox: San Francisco-based active value manager running concentrated global, international, and balanced funds with a long-term horizon — closely comparable to Setanta's multi-strategy value approach.
- Harding Loevner: Global and international equity manager applying fundamental research with quality-growth and value-style sleeves — comparable to Setanta in serving institutional and wholesale clients through global/EAFE strategies.
- Causeway Capital Management: Global and international (EAFE/Europe) equity manager with a value-tilted fundamental approach — direct competitor to Setanta's European Equity and EAFE Equity funds for institutional mandates.
- Lazard Asset Management: Global asset manager with international and global equity value franchises and multi-asset capabilities — comparable to Setanta's broad product suite spanning global, EAFE, dividend, and multi-asset.
- Pzena Investment Management: Pure deep-value global equity manager running concentrated portfolios with classic value investing principles — directly comparable to Setanta's bottom-up, margin-of-safety philosophy.
- Artisan Partners: US-listed active asset manager with global, international, value, and multi-asset strategies — comparable to Setanta in offering multiple distinct equity and income strategies to institutional and wholesale channels.
Broad incumbents
- MFS Investment Management: Large established global asset manager offering global, international, and multi-asset funds — broader incumbent competing for the same institutional and wholesale mandates as Setanta's funds.
Regional players
- Polar Capital: London-based specialist active manager with European, global, and income strategies — a regional peer offering comparable value/income-oriented funds primarily to UK and European clients.
- Heptagon Capital: London and Dublin-based active manager running concentrated global and European long-only strategies plus multi-asset — a regional peer with similar Dublin presence and institutional/wholesale distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Setanta Asset Management social profiles
Digital presenceSetanta Asset Management financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Setanta Asset Management leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Setanta Asset Management funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Setanta Asset Management M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Setanta Asset Management
What does Setanta Asset Management do?
Setanta Asset Management is an active asset management firm that designs, manages, and distributes investment funds applying a long-term value investing philosophy. Its product suite spans global equity, European/EAFE equity, dividend, income opportunities, multi-asset, and ethically screened strategies, distributed via segregated mandates, unit-linked insurance wrappers (Irish Life Assurance, Canada Life Assurance Europe), and UCITS sub-funds on the Beresford Funds ICAV platform. The firm operates within Keyridge Asset Management following the October 2025 merger, managing more than €150 billion in combined assets.
Is Setanta Asset Management a public or private company?
Setanta Asset Management is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Setanta Asset Management founded?
Setanta Asset Management was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Setanta Asset Management based?
Setanta Asset Management is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Setanta Asset Management make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Asset Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are performance Fees.
Who are Setanta Asset Management's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tweedy, Browne Company, Dodge & Cox, Harding Loevner, Causeway Capital Management, Lazard Asset Management, Pzena Investment Management and Artisan Partners. MFS Investment Management is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Polar Capital and Heptagon Capital.
Does Setanta Asset Management have an API?
No public API is recorded for Setanta Asset Management.
What industry is Setanta Asset Management in?
Setanta Asset Management's product category is Asset Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAACAI, Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.