BlackRock raids boutique to boost struggling income fund

clock

BlackRock has poached boutique investment firm NewSmith's Mark Wharrier to work alongside Adam Avigdori on its £604m UK Income fund, Investment Week understands.

Wharrier, who joined the boutique in 2004, is currently co-manager on NewSmith's flagship UK Hedge fund, a long/short equity strategy investing primarily in the FTSE 350. He also co-manages the group's UK Equity fund alongside lead manager Steve Thompson. Wharrier is now working his notice ahead of his move to BlackRock's income desk. BlackRock is taking action to boost its team following a bout of underperformance for the firm's UK Income fund. Manager Avigdori (pictured) has been dogged by poor performance since taking over the portfolio in 2009, with assets under management fall...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Equities

UK equities bleed £1.2bn in March while North American peers enjoy best month in a year

UK equities bleed £1.2bn in March while North American peers enjoy best month in a year

Ahead of Trump’s April tariffs

Sorin Dojan
clock 08 April 2025 • 2 min read
Evenlode's Chris Elliott: Trading on tariffs and tension

Evenlode's Chris Elliott: Trading on tariffs and tension

Global recession fears

Chris Elliott
clock 08 April 2025 • 3 min read
Spring Statement 25: Government looking at options to tackle Cash ISA 'hoarding' concerns

Spring Statement 25: Government looking at options to tackle Cash ISA 'hoarding' concerns

"Strike the right balance"

Jenna Brown
clock 26 March 2025 • 3 min read
Trustpilot