Henderson Global Investors will offer its discounted clean share classes to all distributors, rather than through exclusive platform deals, according to chief executive Andrew Formica.
Formica (pictured) said: “There are one or two funds where we have had a lower [rate] clean share class, but we do not have any on an exclusive basis with a particular platform. In those products where we have done that they are offered to all.
“For example some of the larger platforms that have trumpeted having exclusive deals with managers. We have not participated.”
However, he acknowledged investors with higher minimum investments will receive the best deals.
Standard Life said last year that Henderson is among the groups to offer it discounted share class deals, but Formica's comments suggest those prices are not exclusive.
Henderson's clean share classes, as displayed on the Barclays Stockbrokers platform, show the majority of its funds priced at a standard 0.75%.
Only Chris Burvill's £1.5bn Cautious Managed fund and its Global Strategic Capital fund of investment trusts (both 0.625%), as well as selected fixed income offerings (0.6%), come in below that level.
Results
Henderson today reported a bumper set of results for 2013, with 2013 pre-tax profits standing at £190.1m. Its UK retail business saw a return to positive flows, with £1.2bn of inflows for the full year.
Formica said the group aims to double assets under management to £150bn by building on its international operations, particularly in Singapore and the US retail space.
However, he downplayed the prospect of further acquisitions in the UK following its acquisitions of New Star and Gartmore in recent years.
“We have got a very strong line-up of funds at the moment. We are very happy with the product set, which we have rationalised extensively," he said.
“We actually see ourselves well-positioned given the changes thrown up by the Retail Distribution Review. To do an acquisition in the UK is probably more disruptive than beneficial for us. We will do acquisitions but they will be modest bolt-on acquisitions.”
Formica indicated acquisitions are likely to be in US equities: “That would support our US retail business which had exceptional growth.”
In terms of the prospects for 2014, he said the year has begun well in terms of flows, adding: “We are continuing to implement our five-year plan of growth and globalisation. By 2018 we expect to have a global footprint.”
