Close Asset Management (‘CAM’), the asset management division of Close Brothers Group plc, today announces the appointment of Rufus Warner as CEO of Close Finsbury Asset Management (‘CFAM’), the specialist investment fund manager.  Rufus will join the business on 1 June 2005.

Close Finsbury Asset Management specialises in the management of open-ended investment funds (‘OEICs’) and closed-ended investment trusts for institutional and retail investors. 

Rufus (43) joins from SG Asset Management where he has been Deputy Head of Global Marketing and Head of European Pensions Business Development based in Paris. Rufus joined SG’s subsidiary, SG Asset Management UK in 1997 as a founder director and as Head of Marketing.  He went on to become Managing Director of SG Asset Management International Ltd, based in London, in 1998 and CEO in 2002.

Rufus has over 22 years experience as an analyst, fund manager and developer of businesses in such leading firms as Fidelity, Morgan Grenfell, and Hoare Govett.

Jonathan Sieff, CEO of Close Asset Management said:
“Rufus is highly regarded in the fund management community for his ability to develop businesses and lead teams.  He joins at a time when we are expanding our specialist funds business and his expertise and entrepreneurial flair will be instrumental in growing our actively managed funds business.  Our investment trust business continues to flourish and this new appointment will enable Alastair Smith to focus his expertise and energies in further developing this important area of our business as well as working closely with Rufus in the overall management of the business." 

Rufus Warner, CEO, Close Finsbury Asset Management said:
“I admire Close Finsbury for its specialist focus and distinctive approach to asset management.  I believe retail and institutional asset management businesses are increasingly more akin to each other especially in the way products are developed, explained and marketed.  Given that, I look forward to bringing my experience to bear and working with the team to build on Close Finsbury’s strengths.”

Enquiries:

Jonathan Sieff, Chief Executive    
Close Asset Management
020 7426 4000

Rupert Young                            
Brunswick Group LLP
020 7404 5959