Time to switch? Five alternatives to Global Basics as French exits

Veteran fund manager Graham French is to leave M&G, handing over his Global Basics fund to his co-manager. Should holders of the fund consider other options?

On Monday Investment Week revealed French (pictured) is to retire after nearly 25 years at the company, handing over the £4.2bn portfolio to deputy manager Randeep Somel. Richard Philbin, CIO at Harwood Multi Manager, said the fund's mandate is quite distinctive, meaning there are few funds in the market which are directly comparable. "I would not say there is a direct competitor, because Graham's investment approach is quite different to others," Philbin said. "But there are a number of funds that offer exposure to the large well-known brand names in which he invests." Here are Ph...