Fund Times: 7 - 11 September
First fund launch imminent at Henderson New Star; New CEO for Skandia Investment Group; Jupiter to launch two funds; New MD for L&G’s unit trust division.
New Star European Special Situations fund, managed by Richard Pease, is to be launched by Henderson New Star on 1st October 2009. This is the first fund launch under the joint name, created when Henderson accquired New Star in April this year.
Pease, who joined the group with the New Star acquisition, will aim to follow his former process focused on value investing. Pease’s previous experience includes 11 years at Jupiter Asset Management where he managed a European fund and a European Special Situations fund. As the new fund will invest in small and mid-cap stocks in a concentrated portfolio of 35-55 holdings, it will be capped at £500 million.
New CEO for Skandia Investment Group
Nils Bolmstrand has been appointed the new CEO at Skandia Investment Group (SIG), the group announced this week. Bolmstrand takes over from Jamie Macleod, who has now left SIG. Bolmstrand’s previous responsibilities at SIG included product development, distribution and managing relationships with other fund groups. He has been with SIG since October 2007 (its inception), and previously was CEO of Skandia Fonder AB. His tenure at Skandia began in 1998.
Jupiter to launch two funds
Jupiter Asset Management plans to launch two funds next year, subject to FSA approval. The funds will be managed by Philip Gibbs, who currently runs the Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund, which he has managed since 1997. He also runs the Jupiter Hyde Park hedge fund, the Jupiter Second Split trust, UK equity and specialist mandates as well as co-managing the Jupiter Global Financials fund. The funds will be a global absolute return mandate and an international financials vehicle and will have full UCITs III powers including the ability to go short.
New MD for L&G’s unit trust division
Legal & General have appointed Simon Ellis managing director for their unit trust division which includes active and index unit trusts. Ellis is an industry veteran, with 25 years of experience. His former roles include time as the managing director of Fidelity International’s Multi-Manager area and managing director of the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC). Previously, he was also head of UK retail at Henderson, and head of UK retail and CEO of multi-manager at Axa Investment Managers.
Morningstar qualitative ratings and reports issued this week
Morningstar issued new qualitative ratings and reports on a number of funds available to UK investors this week, including Standard Life Higher Income and Standard Life European Equities Growth. Click here to see the full list.