ES R&M European Fund
Taking a pragmatic and contrarian investment approach to select attractive companies which offer value, and are also contributing positively to society
Why the ES R&M European Fund?
The fund will be contrarian, pragmatic and designed to benefit from a forthcoming recovery in the European business cycle.
The portfolio offers compelling exposure to some of the most interesting investment themes in the stock market, such as decarbonisation and the post-Covid recovery which can be accessed through well run, attractive franchises.
And by placing ESG factors at the core of the approach, we are ensuring that investors can be proud of the companies they are investing in, as well as gaining sustainable, long-term returns.
Investment philosophy and process
Combining six key tenets we look for in our companies – which lead us away from the herd – as well as our pragmatic top-down business cycle framework and systematic, repeatable process, the fund presents an opportunity for clients to invest in a portfolio with attractive and differentiated characteristics.
Being underweight Europe has been an easy source of outperformance for the last decade. Most European funds consist overwhelmingly of expensive quality growth stocks – we offer something very different that will take advantage of this next cycle having different characteristics to the last – which we strongly believe it will.
We avoid both highly valued bond proxies and growth stocks, but also structurally challenged deep value. Yet despite the all-time highs in US markets, incredibly narrow investor preference means some great European businesses outside the well-owned, expensive areas are available well below pre-Covid levels.
About the fund manager
James Sym
Portfolio Manager, PVT Equities
James graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences. James joined Cazenove Capital in 2007 as a graduate trainee in Wealth Management before moving to the Pan European desk in 2008. In 2012 he launched the Cazenove European Income fund as co-manager and, following the Schroders acquisition of Cazenove in 2013, was appointed manager of a number of continental and pan European equity products, ultimately managing over £2bn of client assets as well as forming the specialist European equity team at Schroders.
He joined River and Mercantile in June 2020 and is a member of the PVT equities team with responsibility for the European franchise.
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Simon Smith
Head of Wholesale Distribution
Simon Smith
Head of Wholesale Distribution
Simon Smith is Managing Director, and Head of UK Wholesale Distribution, responsible for creating a market leading customer centric distribution business working with wealth managers across the UK for the benefit of investors. Simon has spent a 25 year career working for some of the industry's leading asset managers including M&G, Standard Life Investments and most recently nine years overseeing the growth of Merian UK Wholesale (Old Mutual Global Investors).
Tom De Lisle
Sales Director, London
Tom De Lisle
Sales Director, London
Tom is Sales Director for London within the Wholesale Distribution team. He looks after a wide range of clients including Discretionary Wealth Managers, Multi Managers, Family Offices, Private Banks and Global Financial Institutions. Tom joined R&M in February 2013. He started his career in financial services in 2004 at a London stockbroking firm advising high net worth individuals on US stocks and helped launch the alternative investments division. He then moved to Neptune Investment Management in 2007 as Sales Manager covering the London and Greater London area and also became Head of Family Office Business Development. Tom has a degree in Modern and Medieval French from the University of Oxford, he holds the IMC certificate and is a member of the CFA UK Society.
Marcus Honig
Sales Director, London & South East
Marcus Honig
Sales Director, London & South East
Marcus graduated from Glasgow University with an MA (Hons) degree in 2001. Throughout his career in financial services Marcus has worked for companies including Chase de Vere, Scottish Widows and Neptune Investment Management, before joining R&M in June 2017. Marcus holds the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning as well as the Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management. He is an experienced Sales and Distribution professional with strong client relationships across the UK.
Martin Canavan
Sales Director, North England, Scotland, Ireland & Isle of Man
Martin Canavan
Sales Director, North England, Scotland, Ireland & Isle of Man
Martin began his career in asset management sales in 1996 with Deutsche Bank. He has since held roles with AEGON Asset Management and Merian Global Investors (formerly Old Mutual), before joining R&M in August 2020. He is a highly experienced Sales professional with strong relationships across a range of client segments, covering the UK, Isle of Man and Ireland. Martin holds the Investment Management Certificate.
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