Irish Life Investment Managers

ILIM is an indirect subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco, the Canadian financial services holding company. Great-West Lifeco acquired Irish Life Group in 2013 from the Irish government, which had taken temporary ownership during a restructuring of the former parent, Permanent TSB. ILIM operates within the Irish Life Group, which retains its own brand and board structure. This ownership places ILIM within a global insurance ecosystem managing over CAD $1.9 trillion in assets, but the firm's mandate remains focused on the Irish market.

As the internal asset manager for Irish Life Assurance, ILIM invests first against the liability profile of its parent's policyholder book. This means fixed income and liability-matching strategies dominate the portfolio, with alternatives like real estate and infrastructure playing a supporting role. The permanent capital base removes the need for external fund-raising and allows ILIM to hold assets through market cycles without forced selling. The model closely resembles the internal investment offices at European insurers like Allianz Global Investors or AXA Investment Managers.

Yes. ILIM provides investment management services to external Irish pension funds, charities, and corporate clients. Its pooled fund range covers equities, bonds, property, and multi-asset strategies available to third-party institutions. However, the external book is smaller relative to the captive general account — Irish Life Assurance remains the dominant client by a wide margin. The firm's external fiduciary business operates under the same regulatory framework as its internal mandate.