Jonathan Smith, who joined Neil Woodford and co today initially on a part-time basis, will spend his first six months developing the company’s CSR strategy before becoming full time in January 2015.
Previously, Smith was director of a number of smaller organisations in the marketing communications and social care sectors. He is closely involved with Business in the Community and in 2012 was appointed by the charity’s president, HRH Prince of Wales, as his business ambassador in Wales.
Chief executive Craig Newman said the appointment reinforces the firm’s wider social responsibilities: “[Smith’s] understanding of the social agenda, coupled with his outlook and approach fit perfectly with what we are looking to accomplish at Woodford Investment Management.
“Our aim is to use successful business performance as a springboard to make a measured and meaningful contribution in a wider social context.”
Last week it was revealed CF Woodford Equity Income Fund raised £1.6bn during its offer period, with around 95% of the fund invested in the market when it started trading on 19 June.
