Changes to the management of the Standard Life Investments Global Smaller Companies Fund

Standard Life Investments (SLI) have announced that Harry Nimmo, who heads the firm's smaller companies team, will no longer be a named manager on the SLI Global Smaller Companies fund. 

We are not surprised by this decision and do not see it as having a negative impact on the management of the strategy in any way. Essentially, since launch in 2012, the fund has always been run on a day-to-day basis by Alan Rowsell. Mr Nimmo's role is to provide input on UK stock selection and help ensure overall adherence to the investment process. This change, in effect, already confirms what is the current situation but is perhaps further validation of Mr Rowsell's investment abilities and reflects his achievement in successfully raising the profile of this investment strategy.