Rob Thorpe, formerly of Cazenove, has left Sarasin & Partners after little more than six weeks in his new job to become head of consumer at F&C Investments.

Thorpe joined thematic investment specialist Sarasin on 30 September to become its head of retail. Prior to this he was head of UK retail at Cazenove Capital but departed when the firm was acquired by Schroders earlier this year.

In his new role, he will assume responsibility for sales and distribution of F&C’s retail funds and investment trust ranges in the intermediated market.

Thorpe will join F&C in December and report to head of client management Mandy Mannix.

Mannix says: “We are absolutely delighted to have attracted Rob into our business. F&C has a substantial foundation in our consumer proposition with the retail and investment trust business and we are looking forward to bringing our distribution capabilities together under Rob.”

Thorpe adds: “F&C has re-organised and is now in a very strong position to substantially grow its business in what is a very dynamic environment post RDR.

”F&C is in the enviable position of having a broad proposition, which includes a recognised leading multi-manager team, a strong position in the investment trust market, and a number of compelling single strategy funds. I am excited to be joining them at this time.”

Thorpe is widely seen a key figure behind the rise of Cazenove, where he worked for nine years before it was bought by Schroders for £424m in July. At the time of its acquisition, the group had grown its assets under management to around £17.2bn.

Source: Fundweb.  Read full article here.

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