Funds run by Standard Life Aberdeen have acquired a 5 per cent holding in listed fund management business Liontrust.
In a regulatory announcement to the stock exchange, LIontrust Asset Management confirmed funds administered on behalf of third party clients by Standard Life Aberdeen now own a 5.01 per cent stake in the company.
Funds previously separately run by Aberdeen, by Standard Life and by Ignis, a business previously acquired by Standard Life, own the shares.
Liontrust's assets under management (AUM) has grown rapidly in recent years as it acquired the funds business of Alliance Trust, and hired Phil Milburn and David Roberts, a duo of experienced bond fund managers who previously worked at Kames.
In its most recent update to the market, the sustainable investment products run by the company were highlighted as a driver of growth.
In June 2018 company management expressed “surprise” at the extent of demand for sustainable investment products.
In an update to the market in October 2018, the company’s assets under management (AUM) had grown to £12bn, an increase of more than 60 per cent in a year.
In June 2018, the Alliance Trust sold all of its shares in Liontrust, it had acquired the holding when Liontrust acquired its funds business.
david.thorpe@ft.com
