Simon Smith departs Merian for R&M role amid pre-acquisition shake-up

Smith among five to leave firm

Simon Smith will not join Jupiter Asset Management upon completion of its acquisition of Merian Global Investors, with the former Merian head of wholesale set to join River & Mercantile as head of wholesale UK distribution amid a raft of distribution changes for Jupiter, Investment Week has learned.

In a letter seen by Investment Week, head of UK Mark Thomas, who joined Jupiter from R&M in September, confirmed six new joiners from Merian for Jupiter's distribution team as well as a number of departures. Joining Jupiter from Merian are directors for London John Shepherd and John Morrison; director for Midlands and Channel Islands Nick Pearse; and director for the North, Scotland, Ireland and Isle of Man David Hill. In addition, Sebastian Oxley and Luke Matthews join as sales manager for the South East and Greater London and business development manager respectively. Smith depar...