Winning Hearts and Minds

Mark Nelson of Caledonia discusses his connection with the Florey Institute, one of our beneficiaries, and why he's involved with Hearts and Minds.

Winning Hearts and Minds

May 29, 2019
Mark Nelson of Caledonia discusses his connection with the Florey Institute, one of our beneficiaries, and why he's involved with Hearts and Minds.
Read Transcript

This article first appeared in The Florey Institute's quarterly magazine, Brain Matters.

The generosity of a great supporter means the Florey will reap benefits from a novel investment concept.

Dr Mark Nelson looks back at his time as a student at the Florey with great fondness. As a student of neuroscience and applied physiology in the 1980s, Mark was overwhelmed to be surrounded by geneticists and other specialists who had been lured to the Florey from Harvard and other renowned research hubs. “It was an enormous privilege to undertake a PhD at the Florey as it was considered to be such a very fine institute,” Mark says.

So when he was offered the irresistible chance to do a Masters of Philosophy in the UK at Cambridge University, it was with some trepidation that the young Florey PhD student went to visit the top brass, the intimidating Director, Professor Derek (Dick) Denton. Mark hoped to receive a leave of absence but had no idea how the idea would be received.

“As a poor student, I tentatively approached the Director’s office. He sat and listened and said nothing. He just listened and listened. Then he said, ‘hmmmmm’. He reached into his desk, pulled out a chequebook and wrote out a cheque for $1000 and said, ‘Here you are. You might find this useful’.”

For a young Mark Nelson, this was a huge sum and the generosity has never been forgotten.

These days, Mark is Chairman of the Caledonia Investments funds management group, a company he co-founded back in 1992 after he left science to chase a world of finance and investment. But his link to Prof Denton has remained strong. Mark is a Florey Governor and was on the board of the Institute from 2001 to 2007.

That $1000 cheque has been paid back to the Florey many thousands of times.

 “What goes around comes around and I’ve been very happy to support Dick’s research over the years. The Florey was very good to me so obviously, I’ve been keen to help whenever I can.”

Caledonia is a global investment management firm that aims to achieve high returns over a long-term timeframe. It focuses on deep, fundamental research and high conviction investing.

In an exciting move with long term implications, Mark recently nominated the Florey to receive a share of Caledonia’s management fees through a new company known as Hearts and Minds Investments Limited. Hearts and Minds offers shareholders concentrated portfolios of the highest conviction ideas from leading fund managers, one of which is Caledonia. The donation of fees supports medical research and is designed to encourage the development of medicines and to drive a new generation of medical research in Australia. Every six months, Caledonia will forego their fees, and will instead have them directed to the Florey and the Charlie Teo Foundation.

“Neuroscience is an area that the world really needs to focus on,” Mark says. “Any investor will think very carefully about where they want their money to go. This initiative isn’t a band-aid. This aims at big ideas, at prevention and ways we can have far-reaching effects on human health. It’s almost at the stage that if we don’t fund brain research now and wait 20 years, we’ll look back and think ‘oh, that was a mistake. If only we’d done something at the time’. With our ageing population, we need to act now. The prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, and the United Nations tells us that globally there will be 2.1 billion people aged over 60 by 2050.”

“From a commercial perspective, too, you ask, ‘Well, who should I back?’. I’m looking for infrastructure, private benefaction, government support, talented scientists….the Florey has all of that. It’s well worth supporting.”

“The Hearts and Minds initiative shouldn’t fail because it’s a sensible structure, and it attracts investors who are very clear on what we’re trying to do.”

 

You can learn more about the work the Florey Institute does at their website.

 

 

This article first appeared in The Florey Institute's quarterly magazine, Brain Matters.

The generosity of a great supporter means the Florey will reap benefits from a novel investment concept.

Dr Mark Nelson looks back at his time as a student at the Florey with great fondness. As a student of neuroscience and applied physiology in the 1980s, Mark was overwhelmed to be surrounded by geneticists and other specialists who had been lured to the Florey from Harvard and other renowned research hubs. “It was an enormous privilege to undertake a PhD at the Florey as it was considered to be such a very fine institute,” Mark says.

So when he was offered the irresistible chance to do a Masters of Philosophy in the UK at Cambridge University, it was with some trepidation that the young Florey PhD student went to visit the top brass, the intimidating Director, Professor Derek (Dick) Denton. Mark hoped to receive a leave of absence but had no idea how the idea would be received.

“As a poor student, I tentatively approached the Director’s office. He sat and listened and said nothing. He just listened and listened. Then he said, ‘hmmmmm’. He reached into his desk, pulled out a chequebook and wrote out a cheque for $1000 and said, ‘Here you are. You might find this useful’.”

For a young Mark Nelson, this was a huge sum and the generosity has never been forgotten.

These days, Mark is Chairman of the Caledonia Investments funds management group, a company he co-founded back in 1992 after he left science to chase a world of finance and investment. But his link to Prof Denton has remained strong. Mark is a Florey Governor and was on the board of the Institute from 2001 to 2007.

That $1000 cheque has been paid back to the Florey many thousands of times.

 “What goes around comes around and I’ve been very happy to support Dick’s research over the years. The Florey was very good to me so obviously, I’ve been keen to help whenever I can.”

Caledonia is a global investment management firm that aims to achieve high returns over a long-term timeframe. It focuses on deep, fundamental research and high conviction investing.

In an exciting move with long term implications, Mark recently nominated the Florey to receive a share of Caledonia’s management fees through a new company known as Hearts and Minds Investments Limited. Hearts and Minds offers shareholders concentrated portfolios of the highest conviction ideas from leading fund managers, one of which is Caledonia. The donation of fees supports medical research and is designed to encourage the development of medicines and to drive a new generation of medical research in Australia. Every six months, Caledonia will forego their fees, and will instead have them directed to the Florey and the Charlie Teo Foundation.

“Neuroscience is an area that the world really needs to focus on,” Mark says. “Any investor will think very carefully about where they want their money to go. This initiative isn’t a band-aid. This aims at big ideas, at prevention and ways we can have far-reaching effects on human health. It’s almost at the stage that if we don’t fund brain research now and wait 20 years, we’ll look back and think ‘oh, that was a mistake. If only we’d done something at the time’. With our ageing population, we need to act now. The prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, and the United Nations tells us that globally there will be 2.1 billion people aged over 60 by 2050.”

“From a commercial perspective, too, you ask, ‘Well, who should I back?’. I’m looking for infrastructure, private benefaction, government support, talented scientists….the Florey has all of that. It’s well worth supporting.”

“The Hearts and Minds initiative shouldn’t fail because it’s a sensible structure, and it attracts investors who are very clear on what we’re trying to do.”

 

You can learn more about the work the Florey Institute does at their website.

 

 

Disclaimer: This material has been prepared by The Florey, published on May 29, 2019. HM1 is not responsible for the content of linked websites or content prepared by third party. The inclusion of these links and third-party content does not in any way imply any form of endorsement by HM1 of the products or services provided by persons or organisations who are responsible for the linked websites and third-party content. This information is for general information only and does not consider the objectives, financial situation or needs of any person. Before making an investment decision, you should read the relevant disclosure document (if appropriate) and seek professional advice to determine whether the investment and information is suitable for you.

facebook
linkedin
All
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
December 5, 2023

Prof Daniel MacArthur | Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference

At this year's Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference, we heard from Prof Daniel MacArthur, the Director of the Centre for Population Genomics.

Read More
December 5, 2023

Prof Michelle Simmons AO | Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference

At this year's Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference, we heard from Prof Michelle Simmons, the CEO and Founder of Silicon Quantum Computing.

Read More
December 5, 2023

Prof Misty Jenkins AO | Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference

At this year's Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference, we heard from Prof Misty Jenkins. Misty is a NHMRC fellow and laboratory head of the Immunology Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

Read More
December 4, 2023

Is dementia truly preventable?

In this NeuRA Talk, Professor Kaarin Anstey, Dr Nikki-Anne Wilson and Dr Bill Brooks are joined by Executive Director of Professional Services, Carole Renouf to answer the question: Is dementia truly preventable?

Read More
November 10, 2023

Big thinkers in hunt for brain cancer cure

“Brain cancer is rare, but for people who do get it the prognosis is not good,” Assistant Professor Jenkins tells The Australian.

Read More
November 6, 2023

Genomic medicine the future of health?

DNA sequences may well hold the secrets to better health. Profound changes in the practice of medicine are underway, being driven by rapid developments in several fields, particularly in genomics.

Read More
October 3, 2023

WA scientists win Hearts and Minds

We’re excited to announce that we have made our first donation to a beneficiary in Western Australia, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Read More
Left to right: Mike Lawrence, Nicholas Kirk and Mai MargettsLeft to right: Mike Lawrence, Nicholas Kirk and Mai MargettsLeft to right: Mike Lawrence, Nicholas Kirk and Mai MargettsLeft to right: Mike Lawrence, Nicholas Kirk and Mai Margetts
July 14, 2023

Could insulin come in a pill? How a molecule that mimics insulin may advance diabetes research

WEHI researchers have answered a 100-year-old question in diabetes research: can a molecule different to insulin have the same effect?

Read More
May 8, 2023

The Florey. Where remarkable minds advance brain research.

The Florey is the home of neuroscience and mental health research, advancing knowledge of the brain to improve health outcomes for us all. Learn more about their organisation here.

Read More
May 5, 2023

Medicare Heart Health Check Saved

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute says that the Federal Government's decision to extend Medicare-funded Heart Health Checks will save lives.

Read More
Merilyn Oakes and Professor Michael Feneley. Picture: John FederMerilyn Oakes and Professor Michael Feneley. Picture: John FederMerilyn Oakes and Professor Michael Feneley. Picture: John FederMerilyn Oakes and Professor Michael Feneley. Picture: John Feder
April 20, 2023

Artificial intelligence gives new hope for sufferers of severe heart problem

New AI software can improve the diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis by 72% and could potentially change the lives of about 50,000 Australians with the life-threatening condition.

Read More
April 20, 2023

Innovation Centre's key role in delivering new stroke treatments

The Innovation Centre at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has been very useful for Dr Kirsten Coupland from the University of Newcastle to help her shed light on the inner workings of the brain.

Read More
April 13, 2023

Saving Hearts to Save Lives

Professor Peter Macdonald from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute opens up about his career as a cardiologist and scientist, the groundbreaking 'Heart in a Box', and the potential of deadly spider venom.

Read More
March 7, 2023

Case Study Highlight: The Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute

Working closely with Indigenous communities, The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is working to help tackle heart disease and diabetes in remote communities of Central Australia.

Read More
February 21, 2023

A Heart in a Box: The Gift of Life

A “heart in a box”. It sounds like an ad for Valentine’s Day chocolates. But this box contains an actual human heart which is pumping outside its original body, enabling the gift of life from one person to another.

Read More
December 10, 2024

Professor Jane Butler: Sparking Hope for Spinal Cord Injuries

In this episode of the Hearts & Minds Podcast, we sit down with Professor Jane Butler to discuss her groundbreaking research into spinal cord injuries.

Read More
impact-podcasts
September 24, 2024

Asian Market Potential with Tom Naughton of Prusik

CIO Charlie Lancaster sits down with Tom Naughton, CIO of Prusik Investment Mgmt. Tom shares his investment philosophy, the opportunities and challenges in Asian markets, and how his 2023 conference stock pick, Swire Pacific (0019.HK), delivered an impressive 30% return.

Read More
investing
September 4, 2024

Building Hearts and Minds with Co-Founders Matthew Grounds and Guy Fowler

In this episode, co-founders Matthew Grounds AM and Guy Fowler OAM discuss their journey in building Hearts & Minds and its philanthropic model that has donated over $70 million to medical research.

Read More
investing
June 25, 2024

Navigating the Resource Sector with Jeremy Bond of Terra Capital

In this episode, we chat with Jeremy Bond, Founder of Terra Capital and HM1 Conference Fund Manager. Tune in for insights into the world of resource investments and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Read More
investing
June 11, 2024

Prof. Nadia Badawi on Cerebral Palsy Breakthroughs and Neonatal Care

Dive deep into the groundbreaking work of Professor Nadia Badawi, an internationally recognised neonatologist and expert in Cerebral Palsy.

Read More
impact-podcasts
May 28, 2024

Investment Insights: Rikki Bannan on Top Picks and Trends

Join us for an engaging episode featuring Rikki Bannan, Portfolio Manager of IFM Investors and HM1 Conference Fund Manager. This episode explores Rikki's career journey, investment strategies, and her 2023 conference stock pick, Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX.TLX).

Read More
investing
December 6, 2023

Peter Cooper talks building and instilling a culture of humility and excellence

In this episode, our guest is the renowned investor, Peter Cooper, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Cooper Investors (Core Fund Manager). A founding supporter of Hearts and Minds, Peter is a staunch advocate of our model and its philanthropic purpose, actively engaging in every facet of Hearts and Minds.

Read More
investing
November 28, 2023

Jun Bei Liu on her high conviction investment strategy

In this episode, HM1 Chief Investment Officer Charlie Lanchester is joined by Jun Bei Liu. Jun Bei is the Portfolio Manager of Tribeca’s Alpha Plus Fund and since taking over managing the Fund, she has quadrupled AUM.

Read More
investing
November 21, 2023

The world of rare genetic disease research

In this episode, we speak to Associate Professor Gina Ravenscroft. Gina is an Associate Professor in Neurogenetics at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth. Her research interests are in rare genetic diseases, with a particular focus on neurogenetic diseases in babies and children.

Read More
impact-podcasts
November 14, 2023

Learn what makes a high conviction investment and how to avoid short-term noise

In this episode, our Core Fund Manager Magellan shares how they select top stocks for the HM1 portfolio.

Read More
investing
November 7, 2023

Delve into the world of kids critical care and trauma research

In thie episode, we are joined by Dr. Marino Festa, or Rino for short. He is the Medical Director of NSW Kids ECMO Referral Service and a senior specialist in Paediatric Intensive Care at Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Read More
impact-podcasts
October 31, 2023

Where Regal's Phil King is searching for opportunities

HM1's CIO, Charlie Lanchester, talks to Phil King of Regal Funds about his passion for stocks, his ongoing search for opportunities, and some of the sectors he’s excited by right now. Phil King of Regal Funds, has been a tremendous supporter of Hearts & Minds since the beginning.

Read More
investing
October 24, 2023

Preventing recurrent miscarriages and birth defects

In this episode, CEO Paul Rayson is joined by renowned biomedical researcher Professor Sally Dunwoodie. Prof. Dunwoodie's groundbreaking work has revolutionised clinical practices and enabled genetic diagnostic tests worldwide. In 2017, her team achieved a double breakthrough with the potential to prevent recurrent miscarriages and various birth defects.

Read More
impact-podcasts
October 17, 2023

Nick Griffin on how he finds global winners

In this episode, CIO Charlie Lanchester chats with Nick Griffin, the founding partner and CIO of Munro Partners, one of HM1's Core Fund Managers. They go over his career to date, reflect on the lessons he’s learned, and trace the decisions that led to him starting Munro.

Read More
investing
October 10, 2023

How A/Prof Matt Call is teaching our body to kill cancer

In this episode, CEO Paul Rayson is joined by WEHI’s Associate Professor Matt Call to talk about his incredible research. Matt’s team teaches and trains the body's own immune cells to target and kill cancer cells.

Read More
impact-podcasts

No results found.

Please try a different search keyword or filter.