F&C's Hooper Joins AXA Framlington

AXA Framlington has poached Jamie Hooper from F&C Asset Management to run its UK Growth fund. Hooper will take over the AXA Framlington UK Growth fund from Citywire AA rated Nigel Thomas, who has managed it in the interim following

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AXA Framlington has poached Jamie Hooper from F&C Asset Management to run its UK Growth fund. Hooper will take over the AXA Framlington UK Growth fund from Citywire AA-rated Nigel Thomas, who has managed it in the interim following the departure of Chris Murphy to Morley Fund Management in March.

Hooper, who joins at the end of November, will be charged with reviving the performance of the fund, which has a good long-term track-record but had struggled in the final three years of Murphy’s tenure. He will also be responsible for developing the firm’s UK equity large-cap franchise.

Robert Kyprianou, AXA Framlington CEO, believes that Hooper’s appointment will increase the firm’s capacity to manage UK equities. Kyprianou says that Hooper will provide expertise in large caps and complement the firm’s small and mid-cap expertise, for there is a limit as to how far you can go relying on mid and small caps to grow your business.

“Jamie’s appointment enhances AXA Framlington capability in the UK large-cap sector – one that we see as a real area of opportunity,” says Kyprianou. “I am confident that Jamie, with his experience and stock picking ability, will make a valuable contribution to AXA Framlington’s reputation as on of the UK’s leading fund management houses.”

Hooper is the third high profile appointment by AXA Framlington in the last six months. He follows Chisako Hardie and Tim Short, who joined from Scottish Widows Investment Partnership and Societe Generale Asset Management respectively.

Hooper has been with F&C for 11 years. He manages the 85 million F&C UK Equity fund and is F&C’s associate director for UK equities. He also manages the 53.9 million Isis UK Select investment trust.

Since he took on both funds Hooper has underperformed his benchmarks. However, Kyprianou is confident Hooper will flourish working alongside the likes of Thomas at AXA Framlington.

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