HEAD-TO-HEAD: Jupiter versus Syz

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Manager review

The lead manager of the Jupiter Fund, Alexander Darwall, is also the firm’s head of strategy for European growth and has been with the firm since 1995, according to McDermott. He manages other European funds, which include the Jupiter European Fund and the Jupiter European Opportunities Fund.

Although Darwall has a long-track record and is getting ample support from a huge team, he will be leaving the firm later this year to set up his own management boutique, according to McDermott.

The management of the fund will be transferred to Mark Nichols, who just joined the firm earlier this year. Before Jupiter, Nichols co-managed the Threadneedle European Select Fund with David Dudding from 2016 and he has around 18 years of investment experience in European equities.

Because of the management change, McDermott will be looking more closely at the Jupiter fund. However, he is positive on Nichols.

“We have been impressed with Nichols and he has a very similar investment style and philosophy in that he looks for quality growth companies,” he said.

Turning to the Syz fund, the lead manager of the product is Michael Clements, who joined the firm in 2014, according to McDermott.

Before that, he spent six years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he built a track record in European high alpha strategies and has been recognised for his performance consistency, McDermott said.

He added that he has no concerns over the management of the Syz fund as Clements is experienced and is getting ample support from a team based in Switzerland.

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