M&G Investments have announced changes to management responsibilities within multi asset investment as Eric Lonergan leaves the firm after 16 years.
Tony Finding, who has 25 years of investment experience with the firm, will take over lead management responsibilities for the £770m M&G Episode Growth Fund. Craig Simpson will remain in his current role of co-manager of the Fund. In addition, Craig, who joined M&G in 2004, will become lead manager of the £830m M&G Managed Growth Fund, taking over from Dave Fishwick, with whom he had closely worked with on the strategy. There will be no changes to either funds’ approach or objectives.
Dave Fishwick will remain lead manager of M&G’s $4bn Episode macro strategy, which includes the $350m M&G (Lux) Episode Macro Fund. Eric’s portfolio management responsibilities on the M&G (Lux) Episode Macro Fund will be shared between two newly appointed co-deputies, Stuart Canning and Gautam Samarth. Stuart will also take on the role of Head of Research for the Macro team, having joined the team in 2007 with a focus on research and is co-manager of the M&G Episode Allocation Fund. Gautam, who joined the business in 2014, has specialised in managing systematic equity strategies within the team since 2018.
M&G’s Macro and Multi Asset team manages over €12bn across different strategies using a unique in-house developed ‘Episode’ investment philosophy. The 20+ strong investment team works collaboratively to implement investment ideas across multiple mandates on behalf of pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, local authorities and wholesale clients, under the leadership of Fabiana Fedeli, CIO of Equities, Multi Asset and Sustainability. All changes to responsibilities will come into effect on 1st December.
Dave Fishwick, Head of Macro Investing, says: “Eric has been instrumental in developing and communicating our unique investment philosophy that’s stood the test of time and successfully navigated ever more volatile markets. He leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.”
Fabiana Fedeli, CIO of Equities, Multi Asset and Sustainability, says: “These appointments are testament to the internal talent we’ve nurtured over the past two decades in the wider team, providing our clients with clarity and continuity. With the team’s collaborative approach to implementing investment ideas, we are well placed to navigate our strategies through the challenges and opportunities of the current investment landscape.”
