Asset management firm River and Mercantile — owned by Martin Gilbert’s AssetCo — announced it has changed its name to River Global.

In recent years, the company has acquired equity boutiques Saracen Fund Managers, SVM Asset Management and Indian specialist Ocean Dial Asset Management.

“The rename reflects the bringing together of our combined investment talent under a single fresh and modernised brand; it does not impact the way any of its funds are managed …” said the firm.

“River Global manage £2.8bn in assets (as at 31 March 2023) for a range of wholesale and institutional clients focussing on listed equities.

“The investment boutique offers a focused range of investment products investing in UK, European, Regional and Global equity markets run by a number of industry veterans.

“As a fund house it employs a pragmatic, sometimes contrarian approach; as a result, a number of funds tilt towards value investing.”

River Global CEO Alex Hoctor-Duncan said: “We have strengthened our business through a series of strategic acquisitions and combined some truly exceptional talent under one brand identity.

“We wanted a new name to signify the company’s future and River Global now reflects this unifying strength and alignment …

“We have simplified and streamlined our business and product offering to better meet the needs of our clients.

“Whilst it hasn’t been an easy 18 months for our industry, we have used that time to consolidate and leverage the capabilities our acquisitions have brought us.

“I am confident that River Global will go from strength to strength, providing top-rated investment products and excellent service to its clients, underpinned by the complementary talents of an exceptional team of portfolio managers.”

James Sym leads the team as Head of Equities. George Ensor manages the UK Micro Cap investment trust, as well as the UK Listed Smaller Companies fund — which has a since launch performance of +392% vs index 111%.

On the global front, Graham Campbell, who joined from Saracen, runs the Global Income and Growth fund, which has returned 54.7% over three years, outperforming the IA Global Equity Income sector by 21.3%.

SVM’s 17 year veteran Neil Veitch manages the UK Opportunities fund, returning 508.5% compared to the index’s 200.9% since inception.