F&C will continue to push its property and European equities offerings over 2015, the firm’s head of UK sales for retail and wholesale said.
Speaking to FTAdviser, Rob Thorpe said that over the last 12 months the firm has worked to get to grips with what it has in terms of investment capabilities and what it is doing well.
“The good news from my perspective is that there’s plenty of the latter – something F&C’s been guilty of not shouting loudly enough about in the past – that’s changing though.”
Mr Thorpe continued: “We’re strong in property and have spent a lot of time talking to intermediaries about our expertise in both physical and securitised property. 2015 will see us build on these foundations.”
The firm plans to launch an onshore version of its F&C Property Growth and Income, one of very few funds that blends the benefits of bricks and mortar and property related equities. “It is currently yielding around 5 per cent and we expect a lot of interest.
In terms of European equities, Mr Thorpe said the firm had already gained traction in terms of inflows and so these capabilities will continue to be promoted next year.
Elsewhere, Mr Thorpe said that the impact of the acquisition of F&C by the Bank of Montreal should not be underestimated. “It literally opens up a world of investment opportunity as we’re now part of truly global asset management operation clearly focused on growing both its business and profile.”
“Pyrford International is one of the specialist boutiques within BMO Global Asset Management’s business and we’re really excited about the potential launch of their successful global return strategy into the retail marketplace.
The firm also plans to leverage BMO’s Exchange Trade Funds capabilities in ETFs for UK retail investors and advisers. “Of course we’re all too aware that it’s already a crowded marketplace, so we’ll be looking to offer a proposition that’s really interesting, differentiated and practicable.”
Finally, Mr Thorpe said that they would not be the only asset manager targeting the post-retirement market, but that with the F&C MM Navigator Distribution fund, the firm already has a “stand-out product in the fast-growing multi-asset income space”.
“Work is already in progress to ensure that we’re well positioned in this area of potentially huge growth and we’ll be announcing our exciting plans for 2015 soon.”
ruth.gillbe@ft.com
