The latest moves, appointments and personnel changes among wealth management and related organisations in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and select international locations.

Chikara Investments
UK-based Chikara Investments LLP, a Japan, India and emerging market investment specialist, has hired Theo Wyld as an analyst on the Japanese equity team responsible for the Chikara Japan Income & Growth Fund and the CC Japan Income & Growth Trust plc.

Wyld (pictured), who was latterly co-manager of the Ruffer Japanese Fund, started at Ruffer in 2018, initially as an analyst. Prior to this, he spent three years as a research analyst covering UK equities in addition to selected global names at JM Finn. Wyld graduated from Durham University with a degree in mathematics, before completing a masters in the mathematics of finance at Columbia University, NYC.

He will be joining the existing Japanese equity team working with Megumi Takayama, deputy portfolio manager and analyst, and Richard Aston, portfolio manager. Since inception (31 January 2013) to date (30 September 2024), the Chikara Japan Income and Growth Fund has grown 281 per cent versus the TOPIX Net TR up 259 per cent.

“The opportunity in Japan continues to grow at pace. Theo’s specialism in Japanese equities will further help us and our investors capitalise on this trend. He’s joining a skilled and highly experienced team, bringing a deep knowledge of the market that will only enhance our capabilities,” James Tollemache, CEO of Chikara, said.

“This development ensures we continue to capture the opportunities that the changing dynamics within the domestic economy and ongoing improvements in corporate governance are delivering for investors,” Aston added.

First Sentier Investors
First Sentier Investors, a Sydney-headquartered global investment manager, has appointed John Bennett as the new head of UK Wholesale, effective immediately.

He is taking over from the previous incumbent, Carl Tomlin, the firm said in a statement.

Bennett joined First Sentier Investors in November 2022 in the UK Wholesale team as sales director. Prior to this, he held senior positions, including business development director at abrdn and head of UK Wholesale at BMO Global Asset Management.

“John’s experience and knowledge of the UK Wholesale marketplace make him an ideal fit for the role. He is respected and well connected in the industry. We feel his promotion to lead the UK Wholesale business will be significant, helping us to grow the considerable support we already have for our Asian and emerging market franchise via Stewart Investors, our Global Listed Infrastructure and Global Property businesses, and new opportunities for our systematic equity team, RQI Investors,” Graham Fox, head of UK and EMEA Wholesale, said.

First Sentier Investors is a globally Certified B Corporation and signatory to the UK Stewardship Code.