Schroder British Opportunities (SBO)says that it has been informed by Rory Bateman, co-portfolio manager of its portfolio and co-head of investment at Schroders, that he intends to retire from Schroders in February 2025. Rory has managed the company’s public equity portfolio alongside Tim Creed, Schroders Capital’s head of private equity investments and manager of SBO’s private equity portfolio, since the company’s inception in 2020.

Rory will continue in his role as SBO co-portfolio manager until his retirement, alongside Tim Creed and together with Uzo Ekwue and Peraveenan Sriharan who joined Rory and Tim as co-portfolio managers of the public and private sleeves respectively in 2023. The public equity sleeve represented 22.6% of the unaudited NAV as at 30 June 2024 and SBO says that it will be reviewing options for this part of the portfolio going forward, with an update to be provided in due course.

Justin Ward, chairman of SBO says “Rory has made a significant contribution to the Company, particularly in managing the public equity portfolio since our IPO in 2020 through his extensive experience in UK public equities. We wish him well for the future.”