Robert McKillop

BennBridge has appointed Robert McKillop as chief executive officer for UK and Europe, starting 4 May.

Mr McKillop has almost 30 years of experience in asset management leadership across investment, distribution and product functions, spanning geographic regions and client channels. He has a diverse skillset and a proven history of building high performance teams, driving business growth and client-focused innovation. Based in London, Mr McKillop will report to the global CEO of the BFM Group, Craig Bingham. The BFM Group operates as BennBridge in the UK and US, and Bennelong Funds Management in Australia.

Prior to joining BennBridge, Mr McKillop spent over a decade as global head of product and client solutions at Aberdeen Standard Investments (formerly Standard Life Investments and recently rebranded Abrdn). He joined Standard Life in 1997 working in a range of senior roles including head of Europe, Australasia and the Far East (EAFE) Funds in the global equities team, and head of Japanese equities.

Mr Bingham said Mr McKillop’s wealth of global experience makes him a perfect fit to serve as BennBridge UK’s CEO.

“Robert is a highly experienced and knowledgable leader in the funds management industry with exceptional global credentials.

“His expertise will be an invaluable asset as we focus on further expansion in the UK and European markets,” said Mr Bingham.

Mr McKillop said he is looking forward to joining the experienced leadership team at BennBridge and the broader BFM Group, and working with the business’s boutique partners.

“I’m very excited to be joining a high-quality team during a time of accelerated business growth. The business’s clear strategic plan allows us to remain focused yet nimble and open to new opportunities,” Mr McKillop said.

Mr McKillop holds a Masters of Science in Investment Analysis at the University of Stirling and is a CFA Charterholder.

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Fund managers Paul Marriage and John Warren would transition to BennBridge in the fourth quarter of 2017 where they would continue to manage both strategies. The investment objectives of the funds would not change as a result.

Branded as Tellworth Investments LLP, Paul Marriage and John Warren would cease to be employees of Schroders at that time.

It is anticipated that SAS UK Dynamic Absolute Return Fund will migrate onto the Schroder GAIA platform in the future. The Schroder GAIA platform consists of alternatives funds whereby Schroders acts as distributor with a third party as investment manager.

Greg Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at BennBridge, said: “I am very pleased that Tellworth Investments is set to become BennBridge’s first boutique, and we look forward to working closely with Tellworth and Schroders to support the two funds. Having established the BennBridge business in London at the end of last year, we have since met with a large number of potential investment partners. Paul and John stood out in terms of their pedigree, extensive experience, robust investment process and excellent long term track record. Since last summer we have been working to build a strong distribution, marketing, compliance and operational platform, which is now in place and awaiting FCA authorisation, and which provides a strong foundation for BennBridge’s future growth.”

Schroders’ Head of UK and European Equities Rory Bateman, said: “I’m delighted that Schroders will be able to continue the successful relationship with Paul and John while enabling them to pursue their personal ambition of starting their own company. This will enable our clients to remain fully invested in these funds with no substantive change of manager or investment process. We look forward to continuing to work with Paul and John, as well as the BennBridge team.

Paul Marriage, Head of UK Dynamic Smaller Companies, said: “We are pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Schroders, whilst at the same time pursuing a personal ambition to start our own business, Tellworth Investments. We remain fully committed to our clients and look forward to working with them, Schroders and the team at BennBridge in the future.”

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* Schroder Absolute Return Fund Company
** Schroders Alternative Solutions

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