Outsourced Chief Investment Officer

Outsourced Chief Investment Officer

Learn how your organization can benefit from an outsourced chief investment officer. 

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What is an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer?

An outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) is a resource for organizations that can take on accountability and fiduciary responsibility for an asset pool, including strategic investment decisions. An OCIO also aims to manage liquidity trading costs and protect against drawdowns. Given the increased complexity of institutional investment programs, an OCIO can help investors access the expertise and scale they need to get the most out of their portfolios.

What are the Potential Benefits of Partnering with an Outsourced CIO?

  • Enhanced Governance

    Our delegated investment solutions allow fiduciaries to focus on strategic issues with the biggest impact on outcomes, including asset mix, investment structure and risk management.

  • Time Savings

    Partnering with our team allows asset sponsors to focus more of their energy on their organizations by spending less time managing their investments.

  • Lower Costs

    Aggregating global delegated assets increases the collective buying power for investment and delivers potential cost savings to all delegated/OCIO clients.

  • Unbiased Advice and Implementation

    Our open architecture and transparent fee model allow us to implement solutions we believe are in the best interest of our clients. We also leverage the expertise of investment managers who are buy-rated by Aon and ensure independence throughout our process.

  • Faster Execution

    Our ability to use discretion allows us to act quickly on asset allocation or investment manager changes. Clients don't need to worry about missing out on opportunistic investments or decision-making delays impacting investment performance.

  • Seek Better Outcomes

    Delegated investment solutions provide easier access to asset classes (including alternatives) and preferred investment strategies, potentially improving risk-adjusted returns through increased diversification and custom risk management strategies.*

Video 3 Min Watch

Engaging an OCIO

Institutional investors face an array of challenges in managing their investment programs – volatile capital markets, sophisticated investment strategies, growing operational complexities and leaner teams than in year’s past.

Why Choose a Consultant as an OCIO? 

Our consultants harness Aon's full capabilities to help you make better decisions. Whether you select our team to provide fully or partially delegated investment solutions, we have the investment, fiduciary and operational resources to meet your needs.

Our OCIO model is a truly consultative approach. We'll partner with you to understand your business and investment goals and bring the right data, insights and expertise to the conversation as needed, including:

  • Alternatives expertise
  • Benefits benchmarking
  • Cyber security
  • Environment, social and governance consulting
  • Fiduciary liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance
  • Human capital consulting
  • Intellectual property solutions
  • Mergers and acquisitions services
  • Operational due diligence
  • Pooled employer plans

2.66T

OCIO assets under full or partial delegation totaled $2.66 trillion, up 86.1% from 2017.

Source: Pensions & Investments, data as of March 31, 2022 

Video 3 Min Watch

Three Ways an OCIO Can Solidify DB Plan Management

As plans shrink and de-risk, many sponsors are looking to outsource the management of their plans. Here’s how an outsourced chief investment officer — or OCIO for short — can help.

What Should I Look for in an OCIO?

  • Scale and Infrastructure

    Does the OCIO have the scale and infrastructure to support multiple competencies and investment specialties?

  • Access to Asset Classes

    Can the OCIO access all asset classes and allocate assets across a range of risks?

  • Transparent Pricing Process

    How transparent is the OCIO's pricing process?

  • History of Generating Returns

    Does the OCIO have a history of generating returns and meeting client expectations?



*Diversification does not ensure a profit nor does it protect against loss of principal. Diversification among investment options and asset classes may help to reduce overall volatility. There is no guarantee that results or savings will be achieved if you should select Aon to provide services to you.

Investment advice and consulting services provided by Aon Investments USA Inc. Nothing herein should be construed as legal or investment advice. Please consult with your independent professional for any such advice.

More OCIO Insights

Read the latest articles, reports and podcasts about OCIO from our team of thought leaders.

Investment advice and consulting services provided by Aon Investments USA Inc. (“AIUSA”). The information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and does not purport to give information as of any other date. The delivery at any time shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been a change in the information set forth herein since the date hereof or any obligation to update or provide amendments hereto.

The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to change due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

This document is not intended to provide, and shall not be relied upon for, accounting, legal or tax advice or investment recommendations. Any accounting, legal, or taxation position described in this presentation is a general statement and shall only be used as a guide. It does not constitute accounting, legal, and tax advice and is based on AIUSA’s understanding of current laws and interpretation.

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