Morley Fund Management, the UK-based asset management arm of Aviva plc, has re-affirmed its commitment to independent research and active engagement by formally appointing Ross Courtier as Head of UK Activism.
Morley Fund Management, the UK-based asset management arm of Aviva plc, has re-affirmed its commitment to independent research and active engagement by formally appointing Ross Courtier as Head of UK Activism.
As one of the UK’s largest investors, owning approximately 2% of the UK stock market, Morley has a long track record of actively engaging with UK companies in which it invests. Ross Courtier is Morley’s longest serving UK fund manager, with 18 years of UK fund management experience and works closely with Anita Skipper, Head of Corporate Governance, in seeking an active dialogue with quoted companies. The new role is effective from 28 October and reports to Mike Bishop, Head of Pan European Equities.
With the support of a team of 18 equity analysts, five credit analysts and a dedicated nine strong socially responsible investment team, Ross Courtier works with the boards of companies with strategic and financial issues. The ultimate aim is to improve company performance, resulting in better returns for Morley’s retail and institutional clients.
Commenting on the new role, Gerald Holtham, Chief Investment Officer at Morley Fund Management, said: “Morley has been a leader in corporate governance in the UK since the 1970s and the creation of the role of Head of UK Activism formalises a long standing engagement function and strengthens an important dimension of the Morley investment process.
“We already have a highly experienced corporate governance team and the addition of Ross Courtier makes Morley one of the leading UK fund managers in the corporate governance and activism arena.”
In 2001 Morley became the first fund manager to include a requirement for large UK companies to publish environmental reports in its voting policy.
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For further information please contact:
Fiona Baker, Head of Corporate Communications
020 7809 8617
Liz Morley, Gavin Anderson & Co
020 7554 1400
Notes to editors
Morley Fund Management
- Morley Fund Management (‘Morley’) is an independently managed, London based, asset management business with over €166 billion (Ł104 bn) under management (as at 30.06.02). It actively manages a diverse range of asset classes and has investment management operations in London, Tokyo and Singapore and an associate office in Boston*.
- Morley is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Aviva Group and manages both institutional and retail funds under the Morley brand. It also acts as investment manager for a range of retail investment funds, marketed in the UK by Norwich Union, and international funds marketed under the Privilege Portfolio brand.
Awards
Fund Manager of the Year - Pensions Week Awards 2002
Specialist Manager of the Year - UK Pensions Awards 2002
Insurance Fund Manager of the Year (awarded to Norwich Union) - Standard and Poor’s 2002
Sustainable and Ethical Investment and Asset Management Award - Liveable City Awards 2002
*Norwich Union Investment Management, an Aviva Group company
Further information about Morley Fund Management can be found at www.morleyfm.com
Issued by Morley Fund Management Limited and Morley Investment Services Limited.
Morley Fund Management is a business name of Morley Fund Management Limited, registered in England No. 1151805 and Morley Investment Services Limited, registered in England No. 1973412. Both are members of the Norwich Union Marketing Group, members of which are regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority for life assurance, pensions and investments. Morley Investment Services Limited is a member of the Investment Management Association. Registered Offices: No 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ. Both are Aviva companies.
For institutional correspondence please contact us at Morley Fund Management, No 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ, for retail correspondence please contact us at Morley Fund Management, PO Box 6056, Basildon SS15 5UU.