In profile: SQM Research's head of research, fixed income and alternatives, Robert da Silva

NAME: Robert da Silva

POSITION: Head of research, fixed income and alternatives

COMPANY: SQM Research

OFFICE LOCATION: Level 1, 9 Castlereagh Street Sydney

• How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the funds management industry since 1984, so 30 years.

• What's happening in the area you specialise in?

Fixed income is my current focus - the challenge in that area for funds is how to protect the downside from interest rate rises (when they eventually come) and maintaining income distributions at reasonable levels in a low interest rate environment.

• Describe the most interesting commercial property you have worked on?

I haven't had a direct involvement in commercial property.

• What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?

Extensive knowledge of the markets, keeping up to date on economic and market developments, attention to detail, an ability to communicate well and interact with clients/ fund managers.

• What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

Meeting and interacting with the best fund managers in the business, across a wide range of markets, asset classes and investment styles.

• Where would you invest a spare $750,000?

Mainly in defensive assets, cash, absolute return fixed income, defensive alternatives that have some downside mitigation and a smattering of the riskier elements small cap stocks and emerging markets equities. Would keep an eye on commodities as well.

• Which football team do you support?

South Sydney Rabbitohs

• What's your favourite app or techno gadget?

The usual suspects from Apple - iPhone, iPad, iPod.

• How do you use social media?

LinkedIn for professional reasons, outside of that not really much of a user (yet).