Burnett quits Neptune after 16 years to set up firm

Manager of European Opps fund for 13 years

Rob Burnett, manager of the £331m Neptune European Opportunities fund, has left to set up his own business after 16 years with the asset manager.

Thomas Smith, manager of the firm's £33m Latin America fund, will take over the European Opps fund. Burnett (pictured) will continue to work on the fund this month during the handover. He joined Neptune in June 2002 before being appointed manager of the European Opps fund in May 2005. Neptune said in a statement: "Rob Burnett is leaving Neptune to set up his own company. "It is entirely understandable that this is the right moment in his career to pursue this entrepreneurial path and after many years of valued service to Neptune and our clients we wish him all the best in this e...