2008
(02/07/2008) AXA Framlington Multimanager funds transfer to Architas
Caspar Rock appointed as Deputy CIO of Architas
02 July 2008: Architas Multi-Manager Limited ("Architas") and AXA Framlington confirmed the transfer of the six AXA Framlington Multimanager funds to Architas on 1 July 2008.
As part of the transfer, Caspar Rock has been appointed as deputy chief investment officer of Architas, and will continue to manage the funds, which he has been running successfully since June 2006 (see performance table). This role became effective from 1 July 2008. Alongside his portfolio management responsibilities, Caspar will also work closely with Richard Philbin, the recently appointed CIO, on the development of new portfolio propositions.
The newly-formed Architas will provide a multi-manager offering that will include investment propositions and product design in a guided architecture format. Architas' aim is to deliver superior investment performance from a market-leading multimanager proposition, combining the best of current market offerings with new innovative thinking and investment design.
Mike Kellard, chief executive officer, Architas, said: "We are very pleased that Caspar brings his strong track record with him to Architas as deputy CIO. The incorporation of the AXA Framlington Multimanager Funds within Architas is consistent with the focus and priorities of both of these investment companies in the UK."
AXA Framlington will continue to focus on the broadening of its distribution channels in the UK and internationally as well as growing its current core product range.
Robert Kyprianou, chief executive officer, AXA Framlington, said: "The transfer of funds to Architas is a natural part of the evolution of our offering. We would like to thank Caspar for his contribution to AXA Framlington over the past 13 years and, in particular, for all he has done to build and strengthen the performance of the AXA Framlington Multimanager funds. We wish Caspar all the very best in his new role."
The funds, which transferred from 12.00am on 30 June 2008, have changed names as follows:
| Funds to be Transferred | Fund name after Transfer |
|---|---|
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Reserve Fund | - Architas MM Reserve Fund |
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Cautious Income Fund | - Architas MM Cautious Income Fund |
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Income Fund | - Architas MM Income Fund |
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Balanced Fund | - Architas MM Balanced Fund |
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Growth Fund | - Architas MM Growth Fund |
| - AXA Framlington Multimanager Dynamic Fund | - Architas MM Dynamic Fund |
Performance of the funds has been strong under the management of Caspar Rock, since he took over the funds in June 2006.
| Performance of the Multimanager Funds – percentage growth | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | 01/01/2008 to 09/06/2008* | 30/06/2006 to 09/06/2008** | ||||
| Value | Quartile | Percentile | Value | Quartile | Percentile | |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Dynamic | -0.34 | 1 | 12 | 16.04 | 1 | 21 |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Growth | -1.91 | 1 | 19 | 12.52 | 2 | 43 |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Balanced | -1.58 | 1 | 13 | 12.11 | 1 | 21 |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Income | -3.83 | 1 | 16 | 4.53 | 2 | 36 |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Cautious Income | -1.36 | 2 | 30 | 1.31 | 2 | 44 |
| AXA Framlington Multimanager Reserve | -0.47 | 1 | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
* YTD figures, source: Lipper Hindsight, basis: bid to bid net income reinvested
** Since Caspar Rock took over the management of the funds on 30 June 2006. Source: Lipper Hindsight, basis basis: bid to bid net income reinvested
- Ends -
Enquiries
| Paul Riddell | Architas Multi-Manager +44 (0)1256 798099 |
| Becky Holmes | Architas Multi-Manager +44 (0)1256 798310 |
| Sara Dennehy | AXA Framlington +44 (0)20 7003 2233 |
| Christine Wood | FD +44 (0)20 7269 7253 |
Notes to editors
AXA UK and AXA Investment Managers
A member of AXA, Architas, will operate as an independent multi-manager provider.
Architas Multi-Manager will be distinct from AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd ("AXA IM") and AXA Framlington.
Architas will complement AXA IM and AXA Framlington by supporting the broadening of AXA's proposition to include a move to an unbiased and guided architecture distribution model.
It will not compete with AXA IM and AXA Framlington in the pure fund management space. AXA IM and AXA Framlington will offer their investment expertises as appropriate to Architas while offering innovative and tailored investment solutions to AXA businesses and third party institutional and retail investors.
Architas and AXA Group
Architas is a member of the AXA Group.
AXA Group is a worldwide leader in Financial Protection. AXA's operations are diverse geographically, with major operations in Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. IFRS revenues amounted to €94 billion for the full year 2007.
AXA's ordinary shares are listed on Compartment A of Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CS (ISIN FR0000120628 - Bloomberg: CS FP - Reuters: AXAF.PA). AXA’s American Depository Shares are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AXA.
Caspar Rock
Caspar joined AXA Framlington in 1995 as a European fund manager. At the end of 1996 he was promoted to Head of European Equities. In 1999 he was promoted to Head of pan-European Core Funds, following the merger of the UK and European teams. He joined the healthcare team in 2001 to manage the FIPS Health Fund and to research medical services, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
Caspar was appointed Head of Investments AXA Framlington Multimanager in 2006. The London-based team manages a range of funds for UK investors.
Previously, Caspar worked for The Royal Bank of Canada for three years as a trainee for the group economist, before joining the Industrial Bank of Japan as a European equities analyst. He then progressed to the position of European fund manager in 1992.
Caspar graduated from Exeter University with a BA (Hons) degree in Economic and Social Statistics.
Issued and approved by Architas Multi-Manager Limited. Registered office 5 Old Broad Street, London EC2N1AD. Architas Multi-Manager Limited, AXA Fund Managers Limited, AXA Investment Managers UK Limited and AXA Framlington Investment Management Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Telephone calls may be recorded.