F&C plans growth in Edinburgh

F&C Asset Management, the fund manager with a sizeable presence in Edinburgh, has unveiled plans to beef up its consumer business ahead of rules coming into force under the retail distribution review (RDR).

The changes outlined in yesterday’s launch of a second phase of the firm’s strategic review, are expected to have a positive impact on Edinburgh, where it employs 130, and where much of the firm’s management of investment trusts and direct sales support function is based.

F&C, which has £102 billion of assets under management, said that it would set up new investment trusts and will target individuals with £25,000 to £200,000 of investable assets who want to select their own investments.

Edward Bramson, executive chairman, said the firm will be “uniquely positioned in the post-RDR regime”.