Square Mile downgrades Columbia Threadneedle UK Social Bond on Simon Bond's departure

Somerset GEM loses rating

Square Mile has downgraded Columbia Threadneedle’s UK Social Bond fund rating from AA to Responsible Positive Prospect due to the impending departure of Simon Bond.

As part of its latest Academy of Funds review, Square Mile analysts downgraded the fund despite acknowledging that "many of the strategy's strengths remain", citing the importance of Bond's role as "key architect". Analysts also noted concern over the firm's ongoing integration of the BMO GAM business, which could result in further team changes. Columbia Threadneedle's Bond and Tang on succession plans for the social bonds franchise  Somerset Capital Management Global Emerging Markets fund lost its AA rating in the review, with analysts referencing "challenges over recent years which ...