Funds

A recent change in tax rules could lead investors to view closed-ended funds in a fresh light, writes Stephen Peters, senior investment trust analyst at Charles Stanley

INVESTMENT TRUSTS

At a conference last April, Jackie Beard, director of closed-end fund research at Morningstar UK, was horrified by some investment trust directors' lack of knowledge and awareness of the RDR. Over a year on, has she noticed any change?

Jacqueline Lockie, training manager at the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), has outlined seven questions private investors should be asking their advisers in the run up to the retail distribution review (RDR).

Skandia Investment Solutions, one of the UK's largest platforms, made a loss of £11m in 2011 as the cost of preparing for RDR impacted the business.

Head of FundsNework David White is to leave Fidelity after ten years with the company.

SVM's Colin McLean has revamped the mandate of the £4m UK Emerging Fund plc and sold half the stocks in the portfolio, following the departure of manager Donald Robertson.

Henderson's Richard Pease has named New Star founder John Duffield as the person who has had the greatest influence on his career.

INVESTMENT TRUSTS

BlackRock's ETF arm iShares plans to hire at least six people for its UK-based business to prepare for RDR next January.