M&G's Rhodes: Managers must use shareholder engagement as weapon against passives

Runs £6.5% Global Dividend fund

Stuart Rhodes, manager of the £6.5bn M&G Global Dividend fund, has urged active managers to engage more with company boards, in order to differentiate themselves from their passive counterparts.

Speaking at a recent M&G conference, Rhodes said he has been increasingly trying to engage with the managements of his portfolio holdings. This includes Methanex, his largest holding and a position he has held since 2008, where he has been discussing its strategic review. M&G's Rhodes: 'I don't want to lose the ability to go against the grain, but we can get better at it' "We have been getting more involved with company management, as active managers have got to get engaged if they want to be successful," Rhodes said. "It is another weapon in our toolbox. Active funds are coming...