Veteran UK equities manager James Henderson has announced plans to retire from Janus Henderson in June 2027, bringing an end to a four-decade-long career in fund management.
Henderson (pictured) has been a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson since 1990 having joined the firm as a trainee in 1983.
He manages the Lowland Investment Company, the Law Debenture Corporation PLC and the open-ended Janus Henderson UK Equity Income and Growth fund.
Following Henderson’s departure, his co-manager Laura Foll will take over his responsibilities on his funds and trusts.
Denis Jackson, chief executive officer of the Law Debenture Trust, said: “I would like to recognise the exceptional contribution that James Henderson has made to Law Debenture.
“He has played a central role in the success of the portfolio and leaves an impressive legacy in his retirement.”
Chair of the trust, Robert Hingley, added: “Laura’s own longstanding tenure, including seven years as Joint Portfolio Manager, reflects her proven and valued expertise and ensures she is well-positioned to continue as lead manager of the portfolio.”
Helena Vinnicombe, chair of the Lowland investment company, also praised Henderson for his “exceptional and longstanding commitment” to the trust and shareholders.
Both boards noted there will be no change in the investment strategies and mandates, with Henderson working to ensure a smooth and orderly handover.
Matthew Read, senior analyst at QuotedData, said: “Henderson has been a well-respected figure in UK equity fund management for many years, and his retirement certainly feels like the end of an era.
“His patient, contrarian approach and willingness to look beyond the largest companies have served investors well across several market cycles.”
Indeed, according to FE fundinfo data, Henderson has delivered a 1,050% total return for investors since January 2000.
Over the past decade, Law Debenture Investment Trust is up 259.9%, the best result in the IT UK Equity Income sector, compared with the FTSE All Share’s 125.1% return over the same period. Lowland, meanwhile, has performed much more in line with the UK market, rising 126% over this same period, a second quartile result.
“While the retirement of such a longstanding manager might ordinarily cause some uncertainty for investors, shareholders can take comfort that James leaves both of these trusts in the very capable hands of Laura Foll, who has worked alongside him for a number of years now,” Read added.
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