Buxton's £25.7bn single-strategy business to rebrand as Merian Global Investors

The name, which will come into effect from autumn 2018, has been inspired by German scientist and adventurer Maria Sibylla Merian who was one of the first scientists to challenge widely-accepted myths about her discipline.

"The newly-independent business believes there are many synergies between the pioneering work and character of Merian and its vision, values and culture," a statement said.

"Further, as a polymath, Merian embodied the multi-faceted approach OMGI takes to investment. With no centralised investment process or chief investment officer, the firm's investment teams are free to pursue their own proven strategies."

The sale of the business to TA Associates and senior OMGI management was announced by Quilter, formerly Old Mutual Wealth, last year and completed at the end of June. 

Quilter said the transaction comprised upfront cash consideration of £576m plus £7m in deferred consideration which will be received by 2021. 

The single-strategy range includes funds such as the £2.1bn UK Alpha, £3.6bn UK Mid Cap and £2.9bn North American Equity and the majority of the management teams are expected to remain. 

There has been a change to the firm's remuneration structure where permanent employees are now participating in a way that aligns them to the company's long-term equity value, with members of the leadership team directly invested in the business. 

The firm also holds the majority of the voting rights, controlled by the six fund managers who led the buyout and the wider leadership team with the remainder controlled by TA Associates.

The six managers were Buxton, global equity managers Ian Heslop, Amadeo Alentorn and Mike Servant and UK equity managers Dan Nickols and Richard Watts.

Maria Sibylla Merian

Buxton, who is fund manager and head of equities, will retain his role as chief executive of the new business. 

He said: "I am incredibly proud to confirm that we will be named Merian Global Investors from this autumn. We believe Merian's pioneering achievements, willingness to challenge the status quo and sheer strength of character truly symbolise our ethos and approach to doing business.

"Notably, the Merian name represents our core belief that investors should not be constrained by a 'house view', demonstrating our understanding that investment can be considered both an art and a science."

A number of operational and IT transitional service agreements have also been agreed with Quilter for a period of up to three years from the date of the completion of the sale.

This will cover the separation of the former OMGI multi-asset business, which has been retained by Quilter, from the single-strategy business. 

Quilter have said the creation of the multi-asset business, which is now called Quilter Investors, could incur costs of up to £20m. 

The Quilter business listed on the London Stock Exchange on 25 June as part of a 'managed separation' from parent company Old Mutual plc.

The various parts of the business including its platform and adviser network Intrinsic will be rebranded over a period of two years. 

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• UK equities
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• richard buxton
• Merian Global Investors
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