Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders - fund manager change

Stewart Investors has announced that David Gait and Sashi Reddy, lead manager and co-manager of the Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders fund, have left the business with immediate effect. Sujaya Desai, a senior analyst in the team, has also departed.

Doug Ledingham will become lead manager of the fund. He’ll be supported by co-manager Jack Nelson.

Ledingham joined the team in 2013 and has fund management experience on Asia Pacific funds. Nelson joined Stewart Investors in 2011 and has most recently been lead fund manager of the group’s Global Emerging Markets funds.

Our view

The team at Stewart Investors has typically been stable over the years and it’s unusual to see senior members of the team leave the business.

The departure of Sashi Reddy and David Gait is disappointing. They’re both experienced investors with long track records of investing across Asia. As two of the longest-serving team members, they’ve been crucial in developing the culture of stewardship amongst the wider team. This investment philosophy is one we hold in high regard.

Doug Ledingham and Jack Nelson have gained valuable fund management experience in their time at Stewart Investors, including managing funds that invest broadly across Asia and emerging markets. The loss of two senior investors also means that Ledingham and Nelson are assuming responsibility for other funds run by the team. This increased workload could detract from the amount of time spent on each fund.

The news of Reddy and Gait’s departures from Stewart Investors leaves only a short timescale for Nelson and Ledingham to take on the additional responsibilities.

The Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders fund doesn’t currently feature on the Wealth Shortlist. We will continue to monitor performance and any changes and inform investors if our views change.

This isn’t a recommendation to make any changes to a portfolio. Investors should make sure any investments match their investment goals and attitude to risk. If you're not sure if an investment is suitable for your circumstances, please seek advice. Investments go up and down in value so you could get back less than you invest.

For more details on the fund, including its risks and charges, use the links to the factsheet and key investor information.

Past performance is not a guide to the future. Source: Lipper IM to 31/07/2025.

More on Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders, including charges

Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders Key Investor Information