City Natural Resources’ investment manager, CQS (UK) LLP, has informed the Board that Will Smith, co-manager of the Company’s investments, will be leaving CQS/New City Investment Managers. Will’s co-management responsibilities have been passed to Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd with immediate effect. Accordingly, the Company’s investments will be co-managed by Ian Francis, Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd, who are supported by the CQS research team. The Board would like to express its thanks to Will for his contribution to the management of the Company since 2008.
Likewise Geiger Counter says Will’s co-management responsibilities for that fund have been passed to Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd with immediate effect and Golden Prospect Precious Metals and New City Energy say the same.
Ian (“Franco”) Francis has been with CQS/New City Investment Managers since 2007 and is lead fund manager of CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited. He has been co-manager of the Company since 2011 and is also co-manager of New City Energy Limited. He has extensive experience of investing in both the income and convertible spheres. Ian has worked in a variety of senior roles in convertible bond departments at firms including Collins Stewart Limited, West LB Panmure and James Capel.
Keith Watson has been with CQS/New City Investment Managers since 2013 and is co-manager of Geiger Counter Limited and Golden Prospect Precious Metals Limited. Keith has over twenty-three years’ of resource investment and research experience with firms including Scottish Amicable Investment Managers, Mirabaud Securities and Evolution Securities.
Rob Crayfourd joined CQS/New City Investment Managers in 2011 and has worked as an analyst for the New City managed natural resources funds. Prior to joining CQS, Rob was an analyst at the Universities Superannuation Scheme and HSBC Global Asset Management where he focused on the resource sector. Rob is a CFA Charterholder and holds a BSc in geological sciences.
CYN / GCL / GPM / NCE : Will Smith leaving CQS