About us
Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) is a leading UK fund manager. We are a management house, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset portfolio (consisting of four sub-funds) to meet your capital growth and income requirements.
We are an active management house, specialising in investment management for the retail investor and segregated institutional accounts. All of our unit trusts qualify for inclusion in ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) which can receive lump sums.
Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Brothers plc. In 1995 and 1996 respectively, Rathbone Brothers acquired stockbrokers Laurence Keen and Neilson Cobbold, securing many private wealth managers, and their clients. The company also acquired unit trusts from Laurence Keen Unit Trust Management including the Rathbone Income Fund- the success of which led to a rebranding of the operation in 1999 to Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited.
Through its subsidiaries, Rathbone Brothers Plc manages £54.7 billion of client funds, of which £9.8 billion is managed by Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited *(as at 31 December 2020)
For more information about Rathbone Brothers Plc, our history, and how Rathbones can help you develop an investment portfolio that meets your requirements, please visit the Rathbones website.
Directors of Rathbone Unit Trust Management
Paul Stockton - Chairman
Mike Webb - Chief executive officer
Julian Chillingworth - Chief investment officer
James Ardouin - Finance director
Michael Warren - Non-executive director
Jacqueline Lowe - Non-executive director
About our Luxembourg Funds SICAV
The Rathbone Luxembourg Funds SICAV (Société d'Investisement à Capital Variable) Company is an open-ended investment fund with multiple compartments ("société d'investissement à capital variable" (SICAV) à compartiments multiples) governed by Luxembourg law, established in accordance with the provisions of Part I of the Law of 20 December 2002, relating to undertakings for collective investment replaced by the law of 17 December 2010.
The Management Company is FundRock Management Company S.A., authorised in Luxembourg and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. The Luxembourg fund is authorised by the CSSF. The SICAV launched in May 2016.
These funds provide international clients access to the Rathbones investment expertise at low minimum investment levels, and are available in GBP, EUR and USD (EUR and USD shareclasses are hedged).
When operating in the EEA, Rathbone Unit Trust Management works in partnership with a tied agent. In Europe we market our funds through Rathbone Funds Advisers, Unipessoal Lda. (“Rathbone Funds Advisers”) a company acting as a tied agent to Carne Global Financial Services (Europe), Unipessoal Lda. (“Carne Global”) which is an investment advisory firm authorised under MiFID II and supervised by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission - the CMVM (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários). Rathbone Funds Advisers is registered in Portugal and has been appointed by Carne Global to provide investment advisory services on its behalf in relation to financial instruments, in particular units or shares in undertakings for collective investments.
Further information on the fund range and team members is available here
In our view, our fund managers are some of the most talented and experienced in the industry. The unit trust investment team is lead by Chief Investment Officer Julian Chillingworth (with over 30 years experience); they share a total of over 60 years experience across major financial organisations. In total, Rathbone Unit Trust Management now employs 25 individuals across a range of functions.
The multi asset investments team is headed by fund manager David Coombs who brings 26 years of investment experience and is supported by a team of experienced analysts.
For more information on any of our fund managers and their analysts, click on the individual’s image to display details.
We believe it is in the best interests of our clients for the companies in which we invest to adopt best practice in corporate governance. This provides a framework in which each company can be managed for the long-term interests of its shareholders.
Mindful of our responsibilities to our clients, we seek to be good, long-term stewards of the investments which we manage on their behalf. Our major responsibility in this regard is to ensure that company boards are functioning well in their role as independent scrutinisers of management. We have developed a robust approach to proxy voting as a fundamental expression of our stewardship responsibilities.
However, stewardship is not limited to this activity. Engagement with companies on governance issues is an important adjunct to voting activities.
Our core stewardship principles
We have developed a core set of guiding principles which apply to our stewardship and governance-related activities:
Materiality
Principle: We recognise that governance and stewardship risks can be material to the performance and valuation of companies.
Active voting
Principle: We actively consider proxy votes for client holdings.
Engagement
Principle: Active engagement with companies on governance issues is an important adjunct to voting activities
Transparency
Principle: We report annually on our stewardship activities.
Our full responsible investment and stewardship report for 2020 can be viewed here.
Our full stewardship report for 2019 can be viewed here.
Our full stewardship report for 2018 can be viewed here.
Our stewardship report for 2017 can be viewed here.
Our stewardship policy statement for Rathbone Unit Trust Management can be viewed here
Modern Slavery Statement
As part of the Rathbone Group, Rathbone Unit Trust Management adheres to the statement on Modern Slavery produced by the group. This is provided here.
The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance.
Our awards date back to 2002 across a range of funds. We are delighted to receive such acknowledgement from rating agencies and trade publications, as we continue to target consistently higher investment returns for our investors.
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Rathbones rated 5-Star in the Investments category at the Financial Adviser Service AwardsThe Financial Adviser Service Awards rate providers from ‘One Star’ (poor service) to ‘Five Stars’ (excellent service). The categorisation is based on a poll of over 4,000 advisers. Providers are rated on a number of areas including new business processing, personal contact, central processing, product support, flexibility of charging options and electronic business. |
Best Investment Fund Provider by Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts awardsCongratulations all around we’ve won Best Investment Fund Provider by Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts awards! Beating off stiff competition from Vanguard Asset Management, and Premier Miton Investors. Particularly important, because unlike many other awards, these awards are not panel assessed submissions, but instead voted by the adviser community. In the same virtual ceremony which took place last week, we were awarded Commended Best Investment Service. Whilst not quite a win, still an accomplishment in itself to be recognised. |
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Best Alpha Manager, Global Developed EquitiesJames Thomson, manager of the Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund, has picked up Best Alpha Manager, Global Developed Equities at FE fundinfo’s 2020 Alpha Manager Awards! |
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Citywire UK Fund Awards 2020We are delighted to announce that the Rathbone Strategic Bond Fund has won Best Group – Bonds, Sterling Strategic Bond category at the Citywire Best UK Fund Manager Awards 2020. The awards are based on managers whose funds are available for sale in the UK who have produced stellar outperformance in recent years. They cover 13 investment sectors across bonds and equities. The ratings methodologies are actuarially approved by AKG Actuaries & Consultants. The fund beat off some stiff competition from Allianz Global Investors; Janus Henderson; Jupiter and Sanlam. |
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Money Observer - Best SRI Fund 2020Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund has been awarded the ‘Best Ethical SRI - Bond’ at the Money Observer Fund Awards 2020. We’ve previously won this award in 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2015. These awards recognise and reward consistent top quartile performance from a fully independent statistical and qualitative assessment that identifies the best fund in each category. |
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Eurosif Transparency accolade for the Rathbone Global Sustainability FundExcellent news, we have been authorised to use the Eurosif Transparency accolade for the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund. A rare award, to go with the same we have had for the Rathbone Ethical Bund for over five years – a ‘grown-up’ recognition of the screening processes behind the fund and helpful to us as regulations and clear communication around this topic of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) become ever more important. Eurosif does not accept responsibility or legal liability for errors, incomplete or misleading information provided by signatories in their responses to the European SRI Transparency Code. Eurosif does not provide any financial advice nor endorse any specific funds, organizations or individuals.
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Professional Paraplanner Awards 2020 Winner.Record numbers of paraplanners voted Rathbones as Best Outsourced Investment Firm in the Professional Paraplanner Awards– reclaiming the accolade from Brooks McDonald, after previously winning in 2018. |
Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio wins at the City of London Wealth Management Awards (COLWMA) 2020.Winners of a COLWMA accolade are decided by an online public vote, where the investing public is invited to share their thoughts and testimonies regarding the quality of service and product in the UK’s investment sector. Due to the Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio’s strong five-year performance, as well as the public support it received, it was shortlisted amongst funds such as the Brooks Macdonald Defensive Capital Fund and the Charles Stanley Monthly High Income Fund. The winning trophy was presented to us during a ceremony at London’s Guildhall on 4 March 2020. |
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Money Observer - Best SRI Fund 2019The Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund has been awarded the ‘Best Ethical SRI - Bond’ at the Money Observer Fund Awards 2019 in June 2019. Head of fixed income and fund manager Bryn Jones has previously won this award in 2017, 2016 and 2015. |
Citywire Best UK Fund Group 2019Rathbone Unit Trust Management are delighted to be awarded ‘Best Group’ in the category for ‘Sterling Corporate Bond’ at the ‘Citywire Best UK Fund Group Awards 2019’. Other nominees shortlisted included BlackRock, BMO Global Asset Management, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Schroders. These awards are based on funds are available for sale in the UK that have produced stellar outperformance in recent years. They cover 13 investment sectors across bonds and equities. |
Citywire UK Wealth Service Awards 2019Rathbone Unit Trust Management are delighted to be awarded ‘Most Accessible Fund Managers’ category for the second consecutive year. We were also shortlisted as finalists in the categories for the ‘Best Reporting and Manager Comment’ and ‘Speed of Information Delivery’. The awards are voted for by wealth managers and advisers from across the UK. |
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Investment Week Fund Manager of the Year 2019Bryn Jones, Rathbones fixed income director and his fixed income team who have been shortlisted as finalists in the Investment Week Fund Manager of the Year awards for 2019. The two categories are ‘Judges Choice for Fixed Income’ (Rathbone Ethical Bond) and the ‘Sterling Strategic Bond’ (Rathbone Strategic Bond). In 2018 Bryn was awarded the Judges’ Choice for Fixed Income for their work on the Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund. The awards will celebrate the outstanding achievements of fund managers who are shaping the future of the investment industry. |
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City of London Wealth Management Award: Best Fund 2019The 2019 City of London Wealth Management Awards were held at the Guildhall on 14 March. The Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund was the winner in the category for ‘Best Fund’ The City of London Wealth Management Awards, (COLWMA), are hosted by Goodacre UK, a leading specialist business and technology consultancy. The awards recognise and promote quality of service from Wealth Management companies and individuals. |
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Money Observer Rated Funds 2019The Rathbone Ethical Bond; Rathbone Income Fund and Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund receive a 2019 ‘Rated Funds’ accolade from ‘Money Observer rated Funds’. This is based on consistently delivering superior returns against their peer group over at least three years. Other factors taken into consideration included manager track record and income yields (where relevant) |
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Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts Award 2018Rathbone Unit Trust Management were nominated in two categories: 'Best Ethical Investment Provider' and 'Best Investment Service' This award is based on nominations from the adviser community, based on their their top three providers across the full range of protection, retirement and investment products. Each provider's product pricing and features were examined during the preceding 12-month period. |
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FT Adviser Investment 100 Club Awards 2018We are proud to announce Bryn Jones, was awarded 'Sterling Corporate Bond Fund of the Year' for the Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund, on 11 October 2018, at FTAdviser's Investment 100 Club Awards 2018. The Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund is one of 20 elite funds recognised for delivering strong five-year returns. |
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Citywire's UK Fund Manager Awards 2018Citywire UK fund manager awards recognises those individuals with the highest risk-adjusted returns over three years to 31 May It also rewards the depth of talent that sits at the core of the best asset management houses. The groups that qualified go through the Citywire Group Ratings methodology, covering a seven year period.
Rathbones, David Coombs, AA Citywire rated has won the 'Mixed Asset - Absolute return' category, for the Rathbone Multi-Asset Strategic Growth Portfolio, for the second consecutive year.
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Winner of the Fund Manager of the Year awards 2018
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Women in Finance Awards 2018We are please to announce Rathbones, Fund manager Alexandra Jackson was shortlisted as a 2018 finalist. The Women in Finance Awards is Europe’s largest diversity initiative, recognising the high-achievers, advocates, and role models for women in the sector. |
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Rathbones awarded best Ethical SRI - BondThe Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund has been awarded the ‘Best Ethical SRI - Bond’ at the Money Observer Fund Awards 2018 on 28 June 2018. Head of fixed income and fund manager Bryn Jones has previously won this award in 2017, 2016 and 2015. |
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Asset TV audience choice awards 2017We are proud to announce that our Masterclass on 'Brexit: the Investment Implications' with Rathbones, David Coombs - Head of Multi-Asset Investments, was awarded the Asset TV audience choice awards on 22 August 2017. |
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Fund manager of the year 2017 - finalists revealedThe Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund (in the IA Sterling Corporate Bond sector) and Rathbone Income Fund (in the IA UK Equity Income sector) have been shortlisted at the forthcoming Investment Week Fund Manager of The Year Awards 2017. The awards will be held on Thursday 6th July 2017 at the Royal Albert Hall. The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of fund managers who are shaping the future of the investment industry. |
Citywire UK awards 2017Fund Manager, David Coombs has been awarded the ‘Best Manager’ in the Mixed Assets - Absolute Return GBP sector at the Citywire UK Awards 2017. The Citywire UK Awards recognise the top managers, generating the highest risk-adjusted returns, in 15 key sectors over the past three years to 31 December 2016. |