Evenlode, the Oxfordshire-based independent investment manager, has appointed Rob Harris as chief executive officer (CEO) effective May 7th, subject to FCA approval.
Rob will leverage his extensive experience in investment management, operations, risk and compliance, and institutional relationships, while providing key governance and strategic insights. Co-founder Hugh Yarrow will handover CEO responsibilities and move into an executive chair role, while also remaining committed, for the long term, to his investment role as lead manager on the Evenlode Income strategy.
Rob has held the position of independent non-executive director (INED) at Evenlode since May 2023.
His appointment is a natural progression for the business, enhancing Evenlode’s senior management team and allowing the portfolio management teams to continue focusing on investment research and client relationships.
Rob has a distinguished 30-year career, including 17 years managing institutional UK equity portfolios. He began his asset management journey in 1993 at Mercury Asset Management (subsequently acquired by Merrill Lynch, now BlackRock).
After leaving Merrill Lynch in 2002, he co-founded Majedie Asset Management and served as CEO until 2022, when the company was acquired by Liontrust, where he became head of global institutional business.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics from Durham University, the ASIP qualification, and is an associate member of the CFA Society of the UK.
Evenlode also announces that it is recruiting another INED, to replace Rob; Charlie Park remains on its board as an INED, having been appointed in 2020.
Regarding the appointment, Evenlode co-founder Hugh Yarrow stated, “I have really enjoyed working with Rob over the last year in his non-executive role. He is a great cultural fit for Evenlode and brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the company. Rob’s appointment as CEO is an incremental step. Evenlode remains committed both to its fully independent employee-ownership model, and its strategy of delivering a high-quality and consistent investment service to clients over the very long term.”
Evenlode CEO, Rob Harris, added: “I am delighted to be able to bring my experience and perspective to the role of CEO. Evenlode is a very special investment firm that continues to evolve and grow. Established as a respected active manager in UK and global equities, we will continue to deepen our client relationships and footprint in UK, European and cross-border institutional markets.”