Schroder Investment Solutions strengthens fund range in response to adviser demand

6 October 2021

Schroders is today announcing that its newly-launched £4.5 billion range of low-cost model portfolios and multi-asset funds is being strengthened to offer UK financial advisers a broader range of solutions.

Schroders is today announcing that its newly-launched £4.5 billion range of low-cost model portfolios and multi-asset funds is being strengthened to offer UK financial advisers a broader range of solutions.

Schroder Investment Solutions (SIS), which was unveiled earlier this year, is being enhanced with the addition of two specialist funds in response to demand from advisers and clients for an income fund and a fund for cautious investors.

SIS will now benefit from the addition of the Schroder Managed Defensive Fund, managed by Schroders’ Multi-Asset team, led by Chief Investment Officer, Johanna Kyrklund, which oversees £169.2 billion in assets. The Schroder Managed Defensive Fund is targeted at cautious investors who still want to benefit from some stock market exposure.

Furthermore, Schroders Multi-Manager Diversity Income fund will be restructured and renamed the Schroder Income portfolio and become part of SIS, managed by Alex Funk, the Chief Investment Officer of SIS. The addition of this fund will deliver a much-requested income option for financial advisers and clients.

SIS delivers competitively priced funds and model portfolios which meet a wide range of clients’ investment needs and risk profiles and is now available on 12 platforms having recently gone live on Transact and Quilter.

Doug Abbott, Schroders Head of UK Intermediary, commented:

“Schroder Investment Solutions has already enjoyed strong demand and has been well received by financial advisers and clients. We have listened to their early feedback and have decided that our clients will benefit from these new additions.

“This is another example of Schroders continuing to evolve and enhance its investment proposition to benefit UK investors.”

Gillian Hepburn, Schroders Head of UK Intermediary Solutions, commented:

“According to a report by the regulator last year many consumers are at risk from financial harm due to holding too much cash rather than investing.

“Given the market volatility experienced last year its understandable that many clients might be in this position. The addition of the Managed Defensive Fund will be a welcome option for investors who have the ability to take some market risk, particularly against a backdrop of increasing inflation.

“As an industry we need to continue to demonstrate the benefits of investing and these new funds, in addition to the existing solutions, which offer a full range of risk profiles and investment styles at a competitive cost, can continue to support client outcomes.”

As part of Schroders focus on offering a simplified proposition to the UK adviser market, several Multi-Manager Diversity funds will be merged into other Schroder funds available at a lower cost.

Schroders announced last month that Graham Ashby and Duncan Green, who are both Citywire A-rated, have been appointed to run the newly-named Schroder UK Multi-Cap Income Fund, formerly the Schroder Multi-Manager UK Growth fund.

Schroders flagship Multi-Manager Diversity Fund* remains unchanged in both management and process. It has outperformed its target (UK CPI) for the year-to-date, over one year and since inception. In addition, it has outperformed its peer group and comparator (IA Mixed Investment 20-60 Shares) over one and three years, as well as since launch.

It will continue to be managed by Robin McDonald, Joe Le Jéhan and Geoff Challinor.

Source: Schroders