Tasplan has announced the re-appointment of Mercer Investment Consulting as its Asset Consultant for a further three year period.

According to General Manager, Neil Cassidy, the tender process, undertaken over a six month period, was both rigorous and exhaustive.

"Investments and investment performance are at the core of the superannuation business. It was vital that we engaged an Asset Consultant with strong research capabilities and a genuine expertise in investment markets."

"We weren't just going through the motions here" Cassidy said "External advisers, Rice Walker Actuaries were engaged to assist the Trustee with the tender process and help ensure that the best candidates were short-listed."

Cassidy revealed that it ultimately came down to a closely fought competition between two of Australia's premier providers of investment advice.

"The process involved comprehensive submissions and capability statements, site visits and searching interviews" Cassidy said.

According to Cassidy, an important by-product of the tender was that it served as a valuable learning process for the Tasplan Trustee.

"Directors were involved in all aspects of interview and selection. The tender process afforded them with a valuable insight into investment markets." Cassidy said.