River and Mercantile (R&M) today announces the appointment of Matt Hudson, who will be joining the firm’s successful PVT equity team as a portfolio manager later this month.

An experienced equity income manager, Matt joins at an exciting time for the R&M business, with Alex Hoctor-Duncan having recently taken the helm as CEO. Matt will become the lead manager of the ES River and Mercantile UK Equity Income fund, supported by Anna Pugh as alternate manager, who has worked on the fund for the previous four years, as well as the wider analyst team.

With over 20 years’ experience of managing UK equities, Matt has a deep specialist knowledge of equity income strategies. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, Matt’s investment career saw him manage equity income portfolios at Cazenove Fund Management and subsequently Schroders.

Matt Hudson said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at R&M as it embarks on its next chapter. The rigour of the investment process and the team culture are highly regarded in the industry, and I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues as we bring a renewed focus to the UK Equity Income fund.”

Alex Hoctor-Duncan, CEO of River and Mercantile, commented:
“Great investment performance ultimately comes from supporting skilled individuals who love what they do and the place they work. As we build and invest in the R&M platform, retaining our culture is key. We are a genuine, team-based investment boutique, with a great environment and talented people. This creates a rewarding place to be an investor. Equally, this is important in the delivery for clients. It is an extremely exciting moment for the business, and I am delighted to welcome someone of Matt’s calibre to the team.”

Anna Pugh, alternate portfolio manager of the ES R&M UK Equity Income fund, added:

“I am looking forward to working with someone of Matt’s experience, both specifically on the fund and as part of the wider investment team. The team is excited about the future, and it will be great to have Matt on board to be part of this.”