Liontrust has promoted an investment analyst in its sustainable investment team to fund manager across four of its funds as it continues to see asset growth in the strategies.
Martyn Jones (pictured) was named co-manager on the Liontrust Sustainable Future (SF) UK Growth, SF European Growth, GF SF Pan-European Growth and UK Ethical funds on 1 November.
He will work alongside head of the sustainable investment team Peter Michaelis and fund manager Neil Brown who remain lead managers of these funds.
Jones has been with the team since 2012 responsible for thematic analysis, stock picking and active ownership in the healthier food, healthier lifestyles and education themes.
The firm said in a press release, Jones’s promotion was “in recognition of his contribution to the team’s investment ideas and fund performance over the past five years”.
Michaelis said: “Martyn is a key part of the investment team and deserves the promotion to fund manager where his knowledge and insights will be of even greater benefit to our investors.”
Jones added: “I am looking forward to the additional responsibilities of fund management in delivering the aim of the team: attractive returns for our clients through companies delivering a positive impact on society and the environment.”
Liontrust has almost doubled the assets under management in the sustainable strategies since acquiring the team as part of its acquisition of Alliance Trust Investments which completed in April 2017. Since then its assets under management have increased from £2.5bn to £4.6bn as at 30 September.
Liontrust Sustainable Future Managed was highlighted as one of the firm’s best-selling funds in the latest Pridham Report which noted a wider trend for ESG strategies boosting asset managers’ sales during Q3. Liontrust was fifth in the top 10 list of asset managers by net retail sales during the quarter, raking in £511.8m over the period.
