Team

Daryl van Zyl

Chief Operating Officer

Higher Diploma in Education: Financial Accounting (University of the Western Cape); B.Com (Hons): Business Administration (University of the Western Cape); Post Graduate Diploma: Management Practice (Graduate School of Business: University of Cape Town).

Daryl joined M&G Investments in March 2011 and in February 2022 was appointed as Chief Operating Officer. He is primarily responsible for maintaining M&G’s operational environment. In addition to being a member of the M&G Executive Committee, Daryl is also a member of the MandG Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd. Board, as well as a member of the ASISA Technical & Operations Board sub-committee.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Daryl started his career at Old Mutual where he worked in various client servicing and operational roles, before moving to JP Morgan as Manager of Operations.

Gareth Bern

CIO Fixed Income

BBus Sc Finance (University of Cape Town); BComm (Hons) Accounting (University of Cape Town); CA (SA); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Gareth joined M&G Investments in 2004 as a Credit Analyst, then progressed to Head of Fixed Income in 2018, and in January 2024 took on the role of Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income. He is also a member of the M&G Executive Committee.

Additionally, Gareth is joint Portfolio Manager of the M&G Bond Fund, as well as being responsible for overseeing M&G Investments’ fixed income institutional mandates.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Gareth completed his articles at Ernst & Young and qualified as a CA (SA) in 2003. After spending part of 2004 working in the asset management division of Ernst & Young’s New York office, he returned to South Africa and joined M&G. He has 18 years’ industry experience.

Gareth’s qualifications include Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) (University of Cape Town); Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting (University of Cape Town); Chartered Accountant (SA); and is a CFA charterholder.

Heidi Dreyer

Head of Distribution

RPE Equities (South African Institute of Financial Markets); Diploma in Marketing Management (University of Cape Town); Member of the South African Institute of Financial Markets.

Heidi joined M&G Investments in August 2007 as Head of Corporate Sales responsible for the business development of the corporate retail market. She progressed to Head of Distribution in April 2024, and is responsible for M&G's overall distribution and product endeavours in South Africa, spanning the retail, corporate/DFM, and institutional markets. She serves as an Executive Committee member and reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

She has worked in the asset management industry since 1993 in a business development and consulting role, providing consulting services to the unit trust industry association and to retirement fund trustees.

Her qualifications include: RPE Equities from the South African Institute of Financial Markets, and a Diploma in Marketing Management from the University of Cape Town. She is also a member of the South African Institute of Financial Markets (SAIFM).

Nailah Limbada

Head of Finance

B.Bus.Sc Finance (University of Cape Town); M.Comm Financial Management (University of Cape Town); Chartered Accountant (SA)

Nailah joined M&G Investments in 2019 as a Financial Accountant and in 2021 was appointed as Head of Finance. She is currently responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial planning, reporting and risk management. In addition to being a member of the Executive Committee, Nailah is also a member of the MandG Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd Board, MandG Investments Life South Africa (RF) Limited Board and the MandG Investments Unit Trusts South Africa (RF) Limited Board. 

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Nailah worked for EY as a Senior Manager in the Financial Services - Wealth and Asset Management division, where she serviced some of Africa’s largest asset managers. She currently has nine years of local and international industry experience, having also worked abroad in EY’s London and New York offices. 

Nailah is dedicated to transformation in the industry, and serves as Chairperson of M&G Investments Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She also serves on the Steering Committee of 100 Women in Finance - South Africa – a global NPO aimed at gender equity and empowering women at all career stages.

Ross Biggs

CIO Equities

BBusSc Finance (University of Cape Town); CA (SA); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Ross joined M&G Investments in 2001 as an Equity Analyst, progressing to Portfolio Manager and then Head of Equity in February 2020. He was appointed as Chief Investment Officer for Equity in January 2024 and is a member of the M&G Executive Committee.

Ross is also the joint-Portfolio Manager of several M&G funds, including the M&G SA Equity and Dividend Maximiser Funds, with the latter having won several Raging Bull and Morningstar Awards for performance. He is responsible for overseeing the management of M&G Investments’ Houseview equity portfolios, as well as a portfolio of specialist Select Equity mandates for institutional clients. He is also the lead Portfolio Manager for our African Equity mandates.

Prior to joining M&G, Ross completed his articles with Andersen in 2000, where he focused on external audit, due diligence and investigative work across a range of sectors, both in South Africa and the USA. He has 21 years of experience in investment management.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Business Science (University of Cape Town) and is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA charterholder.

Sandile Malinga

CIO Multi-Asset

BSc Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science (University of the Witwatersrand); Fellow of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries.

Sandile joined M&G Investments in 2013 as a member of the fixed-income team and joined the multi-asset team in 2018, progressing to Co-Head of Multi-Asset in 2023 in a co-leadership role with Michael Moyle. In January 2024, he took on the role of Chief Investment Officer for Multi-Asset. In addition to being a member of the Executive Committee, Sandile is a member of the MandG Investments Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. Board and the MandG Staff Investment Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd.

Sandile is also the joint-Portfolio Manager of M&G Balanced and Inflation Plus Funds, and he is involved in managing our range of global funds. His role also involves providing analytical and economic support to our multi-asset and fixed-interest investment process. He is a member of the M&G Investments Asset Allocation Committee.

With 16 years’ industry experience, Sandile previously worked for Investec Asset Management as a fixed interest dealer and analyst. He also served as Portfolio Manager on large institutional fixed interest client mandates with liability immunization objectives.

Sandile holds a BSc in Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a Fellow of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries.

Sumayya Davenhill

Head of Marketing

MBA, specialising in Executive Management (University of Cape Town GSB); Post Graduate Marketing and Advertising (Red & Yellow School)

Sumayya joined M&G Investments in 2012 and is currently the Head of Marketing. She is responsible for the brand, overseeing all of M&G Investments' marketing and advertising activities. Sumayya is a member of the Executive Committee.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Sumayya worked for Old Mutual Investment Group as the Head of Marketing where she was responsible for the full suite of investment companies within the Group. She has a wealth of advertising and marketing experience, having worked on brands such as Quaystone Asset Management and Nedbank earlier in her career.

In her spare time, Sumayya enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with her family and is an avid interior designer.

Ross Biggs

CIO Equities

BBusSc Finance (University of Cape Town); CA (SA); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Ross joined M&G Investments in 2001 as an Equity Analyst, progressing to Portfolio Manager and then Head of Equity in February 2020. He was appointed as Chief Investment Officer for Equity in January 2024 and is a member of the M&G Executive Committee.

Ross is also the joint-Portfolio Manager of several M&G funds, including the M&G SA Equity and Dividend Maximiser Funds, with the latter having won several Raging Bull and Morningstar Awards for performance. He is responsible for overseeing the management of M&G Investments’ Houseview equity portfolios, as well as a portfolio of specialist Select Equity mandates for institutional clients. He is also the lead Portfolio Manager for our African Equity mandates.

Prior to joining M&G, Ross completed his articles with Andersen in 2000, where he focused on external audit, due diligence and investigative work across a range of sectors, both in South Africa and the USA. He has 21 years of experience in investment management.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Business Science (University of Cape Town) and is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA charterholder.

Sandile Malinga

CIO Multi-Asset

BSc Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science (University of the Witwatersrand); Fellow of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries.

Sandile joined M&G Investments in 2013 as a member of the fixed-income team and joined the multi-asset team in 2018, progressing to Co-Head of Multi-Asset in 2023 in a co-leadership role with Michael Moyle. In January 2024, he took on the role of Chief Investment Officer for Multi-Asset. In addition to being a member of the Executive Committee, Sandile is a member of the MandG Investments Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. Board and the MandG Staff Investment Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd.

Sandile is also the joint-Portfolio Manager of M&G Balanced and Inflation Plus Funds, and he is involved in managing our range of global funds. His role also involves providing analytical and economic support to our multi-asset and fixed-interest investment process. He is a member of the M&G Investments Asset Allocation Committee.

With 16 years’ industry experience, Sandile previously worked for Investec Asset Management as a fixed interest dealer and analyst. He also served as Portfolio Manager on large institutional fixed interest client mandates with liability immunization objectives.

Sandile holds a BSc in Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a Fellow of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries.

Aeysha Samsodien

Portfolio Manager

B. Com Accounting (University of Cape Town); Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (University of Cape Town); CA (SA)

Aeysha joined M&G Investment Managers in April 2013 as an Equity Analyst, where she was primarily responsible for conducting research on the Mining sector. In 2023 she became a Portfolio Manager of our Resources funds, including the top-performing Nedgroup Mining and Resources Fund, joining fellow Portfolio Managers Simon Kendall and Ross Biggs.

Prior to joining M&G, Aeysha spent three years completing her articles at PwC, and currently has 11 years’ industry experience.

Aeysha holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting, both from the University of Cape Town. She is also a Chartered Accountant.

Aadil Omar

Head of Equity Research

B.Com (Hons) (Cum Laude) Investment Management and Finance (University of Pretoria); Masters in Finance (INSEAD). Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).

With 17 years of investment management experience, Aadil joined M&G Investments in July 2013 as an Equity Analyst, where he was responsible for equity research on the Telecommunications, Pharmaceutical, Hospitals and Media sectors.

In August 2018, he relocated to London to join a global equity hedge fund, before returning to M&G in January 2020 as the Head of Equity Research and a member of our Equity Portfolio Management team. He now contributes to the management of M&G Investments’ Houseview equity portfolios and is also the joint Portfolio Manager of the M&G SA Equity Fund.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Aadil spent three years in Equity Research at Macquarie, where he covered the Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Telecommunications sectors. He previously worked in Corporate Finance and Advisory at Nedbank Capital.

Bulent Badsha

Portfolio Manager

B.Com Economics (University of Natal)

Bulent joined M&G Investment Managers in June 2021 as a Fixed Income Analyst involved in portfolio construction, dealing and research. He was appointed as a Portfolio Manager for the M&G Enhanced Income Fund in February 2023 and the broader flexible income fund capability for institutional clients in March 2024 alongside Portfolio Manager Roshen Harry.

With more than 22 years of industry experience, Bulent previously worked for Sanlam Investments as a Hedge Fund Manager where he was responsible for starting and managing a global macro hedge fund. Before this, his buy-side experience was as a Fixed Income Strategist at Momentum Asset Management.

His sell side experience included roles as a Treasury Economist and Fixed Income Analyst at Rand Merchant Bank and as a Rates Strategist and Rates Trader at ABSA Capital. Bulent started his career as a Deputy Economist at the South African Reserve Bank in June 2001.

He has won multiple awards for both research and trading in the annual Financial Mail Analyst of the year Awards and the JSE Spire Awards.

Bulent’s qualifications include: BCom (Economics, Business Finance & Legal Studies), University of Natal.

Chris Wood

Portfolio Manager

BSc Civil Engineering (University of Cape Town); MBA (University of Cape Town); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Chris joined M&G Investments in 2004 as an Industrial Analyst and was appointed as a Portfolio Manager in 2005. From 2013 to early 2018, he served as M&G Investments' Head of Equity where he was primarily responsible for overseeing all equity research. He is currently a Senior Portfolio Manager and jointly responsible for managing the M&G SA Equity and Equity Funds (of which the latter has won several Raging Bull and Morningstar Awards under his management), as well as a number of institutional mandates within M&G’s Core equity offering. Chris is also responsible for research on the Food, Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Media and Telecommunications sectors.

Prior to asset management, Chris started his career as a Civil Engineer, working both locally and overseas, before completing his MBA in 1999, which prompted the move into financial services. He currently has 23 years’ industry experience.

Kaitlin Byrne

Portfolio Manager

B.Acc (Stellenbosch); CA (SA); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Kaitlin joined M&G in early 2015 as an Equity Analyst, where she was responsible for covering stocks in the industrial and consumer discretionary sector as well as a portfolio of African stocks, primarily focused in the banking sector. In addition to being the joint-Portfolio Manager of our African Equity mandates and funds, she is the joint-Portfolio Manager on the M&G  Dividend Maximiser Fund, as well as a portfolio of specialist Select Equity mandates for institutional clients.

Prior to joining M&G, Kaitlin completed her articles at Ernst & Young, where she was responsible for auditing companies in the Finance, Gaming and Leisure, Real Estate and Manufacturing sectors. Kaitlin’s qualifications include a BAcc degree from Stellenbosch University. She is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA charterholder.

Leonard Krüger

Portfolio Manager

BSc (Hons) Actuarial Mathematics (University of Pretoria); Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Leonard joined M&G Investments in October 2020. He is currently the joint Portfolio Manager of the M&G Balanced, Inflation Plus, SA Equity and Target Income Funds, as well as the Namibian Balanced and Inflation Plus Funds.

With 16 years of dedicated investment management experience, Leonard spent the first three years of his career as an actuarial analyst at Liberty Life, before joining Allan Gray as an equity analyst in 2007. During his investment career he has covered a wide variety of companies and sectors. In 2014, he started managing a portion of the Allan Gray Equity and Balanced Funds, and from 2015 a portion of the Allan Gray Stable Fund (across all asset classes) as well as all of Allan Gray’s legacy segregated private client equity portfolios.

Michael Moyle

Senior Portfolio Manager and Head: Portfolio Risk Oversight

Masters Engineering Mechanics (University of Texas, USA); MBA (University of Cape Town); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute)

Michael joined M&G Investments in May 2007. He is joint Portfolio Manager of several M&G multi-asset portfolios, including the flagship M&G Balanced and Inflation Plus Funds and institutional mandates. As a member of the Asset Allocation Committee, he has shared responsibility for the active asset allocation decisions in these funds. In January 2024 Michael assumed responsibility for the overall investment risk oversight of all M&G’s portfolios, as well as overseeing the specialist ESG function within the investment team

 
Prior to joining M&G Investments, he worked for another investment manager for 10 years, where he was responsible for portfolio risk and construction. Currently, he has 26 years of industry experience.

Michael’s qualifications include: a Masters in Engineering Mechanics (University of Texas); Master of Business Administration (MBA) (University of Cape Town); and CFA charterholder.

Rahgib Davids

Portfolio Manager

B.Bus.Sc Finance (University of Cape Town); CA (SA); Chartered Accountant; Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).

Rahgib Davids joined M&G Investment Managers as an Equity Analyst in July 2020, primarily focusing on the Listed Property sector. In 2023 he became a Portfolio Manager for the M&G Property and M&G SA Enhanced Property Tracker Funds, working together with fellow Portfolio Manager Yusuf Mowlana.

Rahgib joined us from Kagiso Asset Managers, where he was an equity and property analyst for more than five years. Prior to Kagiso, Rahgib spent three years with PWC in audit related roles, where he completed his CA(SA).

Rahgib holds an Honours Degree in Business Science and Accounting from UCT, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting, and is a CFA charterholder.

René Prinsloo

Portfolio Manager

B.Sc (Hons) Actuarial Science (Stellenbosch University); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute); Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries

René joined M&G Investments in October 2019 as a Fixed Income Analyst and was promoted to Portfolio Manager in December 2021. He is the joint Portfolio Manager of the M&G Money Market, High Interest Fund and Income Funds. 

With 18 years of industry experience, René previously worked for Avior Capital Markets as a Fixed Income Analyst and Dealer where he was responsible for Avior’s fixed income research product, as well as jointly responsible for the fixed income dealing activities within the business.

Roshen Harry

Portfolio Manager

B.Com (Rhodes University); Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (Rhodes University); CA (SA); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).

Roshen joined M&G Investments in May 2006 and is the joint Portfolio Manager of several M&G funds, including the Enhanced Income, High Interest, Income and Money Market Funds.

With 22 years of investment experience, prior to joining M&G Investments Roshen completed his articles at Deloitte & Touche before joining Rand Merchant Bank in their Risk and Compliance division.

Unathi Loos

Portfolio Manager

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree (University of Stellenbosch), Post-graduate Diploma in Business Administration (University of Cape Town), MBA (University of Cape Town), CFA Charterholder

Unathi Loos joined M&G Investments in July 2024 as a Portfolio Manager. She is responsible for the resource mandates alongside co-portfolio managers, Ross Biggs (CIO: Equities) and Aeysha Samsodien (Portfolio Manager). She also serves as a committee member of our Multi-Asset team.

She has over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, eight of these as a portfolio manager on resources, balanced and general equity strategies. Her experience as an analyst includes coverage of small cap industrial stocks, retail stocks and resources companies. She joins M&G from NinetyOne where she was the Deputy Head for 4Factor SA Equity and Multi-Asset.

Yusuf Mowlana

Portfolio Manager

B.Bus.Sc Finance (University of Cape Town); CA (SA); Chartered Accountant; Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).

Yusuf joined M&G Investments in October 2018. He is currently the joint Portfolio Manager of the M&G Equity Fund and the Portfolio Manager of the Property and Enhanced SA Property Tracker Funds. He is also responsible for the property allocations within M&G Investments' multi-asset funds as well as equities for Namibian clients.

Yusuf joined M&G Investments from Allan Gray where he spent five years as an investment analyst, covering companies across various sectors, with a special focus on listed property. He currently has eight years’ industry experience. 

Maryna Carstens

Portfolio Manager

B.Com Accounting (Cum Laude) and a B.Com Accounting Hons. degree from the University of Pretoria. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (SA) and a CFA Charterholder.

Maryna joined M&G Investments in November 2018 and worked as an Equity Analyst responsible for covering African stocks in the Consumer, Telecommunications and Industrial sectors. She progressed to a Portfolio Manager in March 2024 and co-manages the M&G Africa Equity Fund.

Prior to joining M&G, Maryna completed her articles at KPMG where she was responsible for Advisory, Auditing and Technical Accounting engagements for both listed and unlisted companies.

Clinton Pillay

Co-Head of Institutional Clients

B.Sc Statistics and Economics (University of Cape Town) ; B.Com (Hons) Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management (University of Cape Town).

Clinton joined M&G Investments in April 2012. He progressed from being a Client Director to Co-Head of Institutional Clients in October 2024.

He will drive the Institutional Business strategy and its implementation with the support of the team. He is responsible for institutional and corporate clients, as well as the investment consultant relationships of the firm.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Clinton worked in a range of roles in financial services. He has a wealth of institutional experience including investment consulting, client management and business development to some of South Africa’s largest retirement funds, corporates, medical aids and institutional investors.

His qualifications from the University of Cape Town include B.Sc ; B.Com (Hons) degrees. He completed the Registered Persons Examination.

Karen Shewan

Institutional Client Manager

B.Acc (University of Stellenbosch); B.Com (Hons) Cost and Management Accounting (University of Stellenbosch).

Karen joined M&G Investments in 2007 as a Manager in the Institutional Business Team. She is currently responsible for looking after a broad range of institutional clients, with a special focus on multi-managers and governmental investment managers.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Karen worked in a range of different roles at one of South Africa’s leading asset managers.

When she’s not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, enjoys all outdoor activities (from hiking to sailing) and getting involved in community projects.

Ryan Adams

Institutional Client Manager

B.Sci (Hons) in Mathematics and Finance (City, University of London)

Ryan joined M&G Investments in 2017 as an Institutional Client Manager. He is currently responsible for managing client relationships, which include pension funds, medical schemes and multi-managers.

Prior to joining M&G Investments, Ryan worked in a range of roles at some of South Africa’s leading investment managers.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys reading, spending time with his family and is an avid runner. 

Vishal Bhikha

Co-Head of Institutional Clients

B.Com (Investment Management) (University of Stellenbosch); B.Com (Hons) Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management (University of Cape Town); M.Com Finance (University of Cape Town); MBA (University of Stellenbosch, USB); CFA Level 1; the Registered Persons Exam (RPE).

Vishal joined M&G Investments in February 2023. He progressed to Co-Head of Institutional Clients in October 2024. In his new role, Vishal will drive the strategy and its implementation with the support of the team. He will continue to build and maintain strong long-term client relationships. 

Prior to joining M&G, he was the Client Director for Institutional business at Old Mutual Investment Group since 2019, focusing on expanding the institutional client base. He was also a member of both the Institutional and Client Executive Committees. Before that, he was the Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO of Old Mutual South Africa, as well as the EA to the Managing Director of Old Mutual Investments and Old Mutual Investment Group.

Earlier in his career at Coronation Fund Managers, Vishal worked as an Institutional Business Development Analyst, following his experience in the Fixed Interest Dealing Team. He has a wealth of experience having started his career in financial services in 2004.

His qualifications include a B.Com in Investment Management from the University of Stellenbosch, a B.Com (Hons) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management, and an M.Com in Finance, both from the University of Cape Town. He also has an MBA (Cum Laude) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Additionally, he has completed CFA Level 1 and the Registered Persons Examination (RPE).

Zyron Melton

Head of Wholesale Clients

B.Comm (University of Stellenbosch); Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ (CFA Institute)

Zyron joined M&G Investments in 2015 as an Institutional Business Development Analyst and moved to the Corporate Sales Team in 2017. In October 2024, he progressed to the Head of Wholesale Clients overseeing the business development strategy and team for the discretionary fund management (DFM) and multi-manager market segments. 

Before joining M&G Investments, Zyron worked for a fund administrator as a Team Leader in the Hedge Fund Accounting Division, where he was responsible for servicing some of the country’s largest hedge fund houses.

Zyron holds a BComm from Stellenbosch University and the CFA Institute’s Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ designation.

Alex Araujo

Portfolio Manager

MA Economics (University of Toronto); CFA Charterholder

With more than 25 years’ experience in financial markets, Alex joined the M&G Investments Income team in July 2015. He has been the fund manager for the M&G (Lux) Global Listed Infrastructure Fund since its launch in October 2017. He is also fund manager for the M&G Global Themes Fund and the M&G (Lux) Global Themes Fund. 

Previously, Alex worked at UBS and BMO Financial Group.

Craig Simpson

Portfolio Manager

Land Economics Degree (University of Aberdeen).

Craig joined M&G Investments (UK) as a Portfolio Manager in 2004, and in 2015 was appointed Head of Portfolio Management for the Multi Asset Team.

With over 20 years of investment industry experience, Craig previously worked as a Trainee Fund Manager at Equitable Life Assurance and as an analyst at Pictet Asset Management.

David Knee

Co-Deputy CIO: Fixed Income

B.Sc Economics (London School of Economics, UK); M.Sc Economics (Birkbeck College, UK); Associate of the Society of Investment Professionals

David is Co-Deputy CIO, M&G Fixed Income, having re-joined the London based fixed income team in January 2024. The Fundamental Credit and Insurance Solutions Fixed Income portfolio management teams now report to David.

David joined the M&G Group in London as part of the Fixed Income Team in 1997 and transferred to the South African office at the end of 2008 as Head of Fixed Income. He was appointed Chief Investment Officer, M&G Investments Southern Africa in July 2016. Alongside his CIO role, David was joint Portfolio Manager of several M&G funds as well as a member of M&G Investments’ Asset Allocation Committee, responsible for actively determining asset weightings across our multi-asset funds. 

Prior to this, David managed fixed income portfolios for Hill Samuel Asset Management, and in the early 1990s he was employed as a Fixed Income Economist for an investment bank.

Eva Sun-Wai

Portfolio Manager

Eva joined M&G in 2018 on the Investment Graduate Scheme, rotating across several business areas including Emerging Market Debt, Corporate Credit Research, Real Estate and Long Term Investment Strategy. In January 2021 Eva was appointed lead fund manager of the M&G Global Government Bond strategy and the Deputy Portfolio Manager of the M&G Global Macro Bond strategy, having been a junior macro fund manager in the Wholesale Fixed Income team since September 2019. 

She has a BSc Economics degree from the University of Birmingham. She has obtained the IMC and Financial Services Level 6 qualifications and is a CFA Charterholder. 

Gautam Samarth

Portfolio Manager

BS Economics (Trinity College); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).

Gautam joined M&G Investments UK in 2014 as a dedicated Analyst on the M&G Leaders team, and became Deputy Manager of the Global Leaders strategy on 1 April 2016. He started managing systematic equity strategies in August 2018 and is currently the co-Head of Systematic Investment Strategies.

Prior to joining M&G Investments UK, Gautam worked for Credit Suisse in New York, where his last role was Vice President in the HOLT Investment Strategy Team.

Nick Cunningham

Deputy Portfolio Manager

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Economics and Diploma in Modern Languages - University of Western Australia

Nicholas joined M&G in August 2019 as a Senior Analyst for the Asia Pacific Equities team, with sector responsibilities for infrastructure and industrials. He is deputy manager of the Global Listed Infrastructure and Global Themes strategies, having joined the Global equity team in January 2023. Nicholas has more than 17 years’ experience in financial markets covering transportation, logistics and infrastructure.

John William Olsen

Portfolio Manager

BA Business Economics; MSc Finance and Accounting (Copenhagen Business School)

John William Olsen joined M&G in April 2014, and was appointed fund manager of the Global Sustain Paris Aligned strategy (formerly the Global Select strategy) and the Pan European Sustain Paris Aligned strategy (formerly the Pan European Select strategy) in July 2014. He has also managed the Positive Impact strategy from its inception in November 2018.

John William joined M&G from Danske Capital, where from 2002 he had managed non-domestic equity portfolios, including the Global Stock Picking and Global Select equity funds, and also the European Select strategy.

John William gained a BA in business economics and then an MSc in finance and accounting from Copenhagen Business School.

Michael Cook

Deputy Portfolio Manager

PhD in Astrophysics from SISSA (Italy); MSci in Physics with Astronomy (University of Nottingham).

Having spent over fifteen years in investment teams spanning both systematic and fundamental investing, Mike has a wealth of experience in Quantitative Analysis, Data Science and Investment Operations.

Before joining M&G investments, Michael worked as the Head of Data and Analytics at Kernow Asset Management, and prior to this, he worked within the Advantage team at Lazard Asset Management, focusing on equity research across all major global regions. Previously, he was a Quantitative Analyst at Man AHL, focusing principally on incorporating alternative data within systematic investment processes. Michael began his career in finance at Lloyds Banking Group, independently valuing exotic cross-asset derivatives.

Robert Burrows

Portfolio Manager

B.Com (Hons) Finance and Economics (University of Pietermaritzburg); CFA Charterholder.

Robert joined M&G Investments in 2007 and specialises in government bond and macro fixed income mandates. Prior to M&G, Robert worked in fund accounting for Cambridge Place Investment Management, a hedge fund boutique. Robert graduated from the University of Pietermaritzburg in South Africa with an honours degree in Finance and Economics. He is also a CFA charter holder.