Newton Investment Management (“Newton”), part of BNY Mellon Investment Management, today announces the appointment of Paul Birchenough and Ian Smith to its emerging-market and Asian equities franchise on 19 October. Paul and Ian join Newton from AXA Investment Managers where they co-managed the AXA Framlington global emerging markets funds. Prior to this, they worked at global emerging markets equity specialist hedge fund, Nevsky Capital.

Emerging-market and Asian equities are a core part of Newton’s capabilities. Paul and Ian are highly experienced investment professionals that share our focus on fundamental stock selection and, importantly, our strong conviction for investing with a long-term, thematic approach and full ESG integration. They are joining Newton as we continue to grow our proposition in the asset class and we look forward to welcoming them.

Curt Custardchief investment officer at Newton

Emerging-market and Asian equities can contribute to investors’ portfolios through superior growth prospects and overall equity outperformance. We believe that successful investing in the asset class is best achieved through a highly active and concentrated portfolio, which focuses on rigorous stock-specific analysis, combined with our long-standing thematic and ESG-integrated investment approach. Paul and Ian have extensive expertise in all of these areas and will be a significant addition to Newton’s investment team.

Julian Lyne, chief commercial officer at Newton

Paul and Ian will, alongside Sophia Whitbread, co-lead Newton’s £1.5 billion emerging-market and Asian equities strategies, including the BNY Mellon Global Emerging Markets Fund. They will be supported by investment analyst, Sahil Mali, and the wider equity opportunities team.

Rob Marshall-Lee, lead portfolio manager of emerging-market and Asian equities at Newton, will be leaving the firm at the end of November. Curt added,

We are grateful for Rob’s contribution to the firm over the last 21 years and we wish him all the best in the future.

Curt Custardchief investment officer at Newton

In addition to Newton’s recent portfolio management hires, Newton has also recruited three analysts to join its central research team, which continues to be the engine of its idea generation across all of its investment strategies. Connor Middleton joins as global financials analyst from JP Morgan, Fei Zhou Chen joins as a global analyst from PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Jonny Urwin joins from UBS as global insurance analyst.

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BIOGRAPHIES

Paul Birchenough
Prior to joining Newton, Paul was co-lead portfolio manager of Axa Framlington’s global emerging markets capabilities. Before that, he was a Latin America investment analyst at Nevsky Capital, where he met Ian Smith. Paul began his career at KPMG in the audit, transaction services and corporate finance teams covering the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector. Paul is a chartered accountant and attended the University of Nottingham where he studied mathematics.

Ian Smith
Ian was co-lead portfolio manager of Axa Framlington’s global emerging markets capabilities. Prior to this, he was a financials analyst at Matrix Group and Nevsky Capital. Ian began his career doing corporate finance and M&A at a number of leading accountancy firms and investment banks. Ian is a chartered accountant and has a degree in Economics and Politics from Durham University.

Unless otherwise specified herein, all information sourced by BNY Mellon as of 5 October, 2020. This press release is qualified for issuance in the UK and Europe and is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer or solicitation of securities or investment services or an endorsement thereof in any jurisdiction or in any circumstance in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful or not authorized. Investment Managers are appointed by BNY Mellon Investment Management EMEA Limited (BNYMIM EMEA), BNY Mellon Fund Management (Luxembourg) S.A. (BNY MFML) or affiliated fund operating companies to undertake portfolio management activities in relation to contracts for products and services entered into by clients with BNYMIM EMEA, BNY MFML or the BNY Mellon funds.

In the UK, this press release is issued by BNY Mellon Investment Management EMEA Limited (BNYMIM EMEA) to members of the financial press and media and the information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice. Registered office of BNYMIM EMEA: BNY Mellon Centre, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4LA. Registered in England no. 1118580. Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A BNY Mellon Company. In Europe, this press release is issued by BNY Mellon Fund Management (Luxembourg) S.A. (BNY MFML) to members of the financial press and media and the information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice. BNY MFML is a public limited company (société anonyme) incorporated and existing under Luxembourg law under registration number B28166 and having its registered address at 2-4 Rue Eugène Ruppert L-2453 Luxembourg. Regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). A BNY Mellon Company.

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