Threadneedle Investments announces that Simon Brazier, Head of UK Equities, and co-manager Blake Hutchins have resigned. Leigh Harrison, Head of Equities at Threadneedle has resumed responsibility for the UK Equities team. Leigh has overseen Threadneedle’s highly successful Equities franchise since 2010, and was previously Head of UK Equities from 2006 to May 2011.
Mark Burgess, Chief Investment Officer at Threadneedle said: “Threadneedle has one of the largest and best performing UK Equities teams in the industry, and I am confident that under the resumed leadership of Leigh Harrison the team will continue to deliver for our clients. We place great emphasis on teamwork and integrated research to ensure that our process is robust. This approach has produced a strong, consistent track record of results for our clients and this will not change. We will continue to invest to build additional resource in the team.
“Threadneedle’s UK Equities team of nine manages approximately £18 billion across a variety of strategies including core, alpha, high alpha, income, mid 250, smaller companies and long-short portfolios. There is a wealth of talent within the team and the breadth of experience and range of strategies managed enhances research ideas and maximises our ability to identify investment opportunities across the range,” he said.
Chris Kinder will become lead manager of the Threadneedle UK Fund, effective immediately. Mr Kinder, who is A-rated by Citywire, also manages the Threadneedle UK Extended Alpha Fund which has achieved top quartile performance over one year and since Chris took over management of the fund in 2010.
“Chris is a senior fund manager and a core member of the UK team. He has an excellent track record and we are very confident that he will continue the strong performance of the Threadneedle UK Fund,” Mr Burgess said.
Simon and Blake will leave with immediate effect. Three junior members of the team, with roles primarily supporting Simon, will also leave Threadneedle. According to information published by Citywire, Simon, Blake and the three junior members of the team who are leaving Threadneedle will formally join Investec Asset Management in November.