Twenty-eight fund managers have been added for the first time to FE Fundinfo’s ‘Alpha Managers’ list.
The ratings recognise the top 10% of retail-facing managers based on their entire career performance.
The new entrants include Man GLG Global Investment Grade Opportunities fund manager Jonathan Golan, alongside Royal London UK Government Bond manager Craig Inches and Premier Miton UK Value Opportunities lead Matthew Tillett.
Meanwhile, Odey AM’s Crispin Odey has re-entered the list as one of 17 managers returning after dropping out in previous years. JO Hambro UK Dynamic fund’s Alex Savvides was also named among the returning managers.
Charles Younes, FE Fundinfo research manager, said: “Alpha Manager ratings are a succinct assessment of a fund manager’s long-term track record. The ratings remain sensitive to market rotation especially with the extreme moves we experienced in 2022. I’m glad that many newly made Alpha Managers stuck to their valuation disciplines and got rewarded for them over the past 12 months with their investment approaches.
“Looking at the list of newly rated Alpha Managers, fund houses like Man GLG and Royal London have proven their capacity to recruit well and integrate them to their various investment styles which, in turn, provides them with the healthy environment for their managers to perform and achieve Alpha Manager status.”
Longevity
While the 2023 rebalance saw a swathe of first-time entrants, nine managers were highlighted for their longevity in receiving the rating over 15 years. They are:
- – John Chatfeild-Roberts, Jupiter
- – David Dudding, Threadneedle
- – Leigh Himsworth, Fidelity
- – Martin Lau, FSSA
- – Daniel Nickols, Jupiter
- – Harry Nimmo, Aberdeen Standard Investments
- – Richard Pease, CRUX
- – Mark Slater, Slater Investments
- – Richard Woolnough, M&G
In terms of groups, Fidelity has taken top spot with 10 alpha managers, jumping up from second place in last year’s list.
Baillie Gifford, which boasted 13 top-rated managers last year, dropped to third after six of their managers lost their ratings.
By sector, the IA Global universe continued to grow its number of managers with a top 10% track record, with 62 being named by FE Fundinfo, up from 56 in 2022 and 43 a year prior.
Elsewhere, the IA Europe ex. UK and IA UK All Companies both include 21 alpha managers to take joint-second.
Last year, Lindsell Train co-founder Michael Lindsell was among 52 managers culled from the list.
Alpha managers by group
| Rank | Group | Number of Alpha Managers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fidelity | 10 |
| 2 | JP Morgan | 9 |
| 3 | Bailie Gifford | 7 |
| = | Janus Henderson | 7 |
| 4 | Royal London | 6 |
| 5 | Allianz Global Investors GmbH | 5 |
| = | Jupiter | 5 |
| = | Liontrust | 5 |
| = | Wellington Management Funds | 5 |
See also: 12% drop in number of FE Fundinfo five-crown funds
