Can Matthews replacements 'breathe some new life' into Schroder UK Alpha franchise?

Fund selectors are divided on the main motivation behind Schroders' strategy when replacing Philip Matthews as manager of its flagship UK Alpha Plus fund, after just over four years in the role.

Schroders announced last week that Bill Casey and Nick Kissack, who join from Janus Henderson today, will become co-managers of the £983m fund. They will take over from current manager Philip Matthews on 1 March, subject to FCA approval, following a transition period during which they will work alongside the current manager. From March, Matthews will focus solely on managing the closed-ended Schroder UK Growth fund, which he has run since October 2014. Manager takeover Matthews joined Schroders from Jupiter Asset Management in October 2013 to take over the Schroder UK Alpha Plus fun...