Wellington Management has introduced four Ucits funds, totalling $7.3 billion in assets under management, to the UK wealth market, making them more accessible to wealth managers and intermediary clients.
The move follows the merger of long-standing contractual-type mutual funds (FCP) vehicles into investment companies with variable capital (SICAV) structures, enhancing tax clarity, governance, and transparency for investors.
The funds aim to broaden UK and European investor access while providing shareholder voting rights and improved fund oversight. Matt Knight, head of distribution for UK & Ireland at Wellington, said: “In today’s world, clients are increasingly doing more with fewer key strategic partners. It’s imperative we develop a broad toolkit of solutions in the most appropriate and accessible wrappers for wealth managers and advised retail clients.”
Among the four funds, the Wellington Global Quality Growth Fund, launched in 2011 and managed by Steven Angeli, focuses on balancing growth, valuation, and capital return, delivering a cumulative return of 411.9% net of fees (12.8% annualised) versus its benchmark of 222.0% (9.0% annualised).
The Wellington Climate Strategy Fund, launched in 2018 and led by Alan Hsu, invests in companies mitigating climate risks and is supported by collaborations with MIT and the Woodwell Climate Research Center. Since inception, the fund has returned 99.3% net of fees (11.9% annualized) compared to its benchmark of 86.8% (10.7% annualised).
The Wellington Asia Technology Fund, launched in 2018 and managed by Yash Patodia, targets leading Asian tech firms and has delivered a 59.0% net return (7.1% annualised), outperforming its benchmark’s 56.4% (6.8% annualized).
The Wellington Global Innovation Fund, launched in 2017 and managed by Michael Masdea and Brian Barbetta, invests in firms driving or benefiting from innovation, returning 170.0% (13.5% annualised) since inception versus its benchmark’s 117.6% (10.4% annualised).
Wellington has also strengthened its Emea Wealth team, appointing Ferdie Voorspuy in December 2024. Voorspuy, who previously worked at Muzinich & Co., will focus on developing relationships with wealth managers and advisers in the South, working alongside Adam Kay, who oversees the North.
