Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust
The trust aims to achieve capital growth by investing in small European quoted companies. It seeks to achieve capital growth in excess of its benchmark, the MSCI Europe SmallCap (ex-UK) Index.
Why invest in European SmallCap?
We believe that every investment portfolio should have some exposure to SmallCap, primarily owing to:
- The ‘SmallCap Effect’ – the proven long-term outperformance of smaller companies versus their LargeCap peers*
- A wealth of choice, with more than 2,000 quoted SmallCap companies in Europe
- A lack of research, making for an inefficient market ripe with opportunity for those who invest in thorough analysis
- Portfolio diversification - helping to lower portfolio risk
*Source: see research from Dimson & Marsh
How we invest
Our investment process has remained unchanged for many years:
- We invest exclusively in “Quality Growth” companies
- We generate new ideas ourselves (no brokers)
- We do thorough research ourselves, which includes detailed analysis and company site visits
- We integrate ESG fully into company analysis
- We take a conservative approach to valuation
We are disciplined about what we buy and when we sell
How to invest
Find out more about how to invest in MESCT
Receive updates about this trust
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Alternatively, please contact a member of our marketing team at enquiries@montanaro.co.uk
Fund managers
Fund Manager
George Cooke
Professional
George graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2005 with an undergraduate degree in Management Studies. He spent a further year of study there at the end of which he was awarded a Masters (with Distinction) in Corporate Strategy & Governance.
Immediately following this, he joined the graduate scheme at Aon Benfield (formerly Aon Re). Having completed this scheme, George settled as an Analyst within the ReSolutions department where he specialised in assisting with the capital and runoff issues of insurance and reinsurance companies. During his time at the company, George received a Diploma in Insurance. He is also a CFA Charterholder.
After three and a half years with Aon Benfield, George joined Montanaro in July 2010. He is the Fund Manager of the European Income Fund, the European Smaller Companies Fund and the European Smaller Companies Trust. Additionally, he has Analyst responsibilities for the Healthcare and Insurance sectors.
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) in Management Studies, University of Nottingham (2005)
- MA (with Distinction) in Corporate Strategy & Governance, University of Nottingham (2006)
- Exams passed for Diploma in Insurance
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Personal
When away from the office, George enjoys running and cycling. He completed the London marathon in 2014 and plans to try l’etape du tour…one day. A yearly trip or two to the Alps or Canada allows him to refresh his snowboarding ‘skills’, with his enthusiasm almost making up for any apres-ski induced balance issues.
Backup Fund Manager
Stefan Fischerfeier
Professional
Stefan holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Cooperative Education in Mannheim (1995) as well as a Diplom-Kaufmann (MBA equivalent) from the University of Mainz (1998). He graduated from the London Business School with an MSc in Finance (2006).
After graduating from University of Mainz he spent more than six years at Accenture in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK as a management consultant for European banks and asset managers. Stefan then worked as an analyst at Nordwind Capital, a Munich based private equity company, analysing the automotive industry, and as an investment consultant for a property fund in Romania assessing real estate investment opportunities in Eastern Europe.
Stefan is bilingual in German and English.
Stefan joined Montanaro in May 2007. He is both an Analyst and Fund Manager of two of our segregated mandates.
Stefan is a CFA Charterholder.
Qualifications
- B.A. in Business Administration, University of Cooperative Education in Mannheim (1995)
- Diplom-Kaufmann (MBA equivalent), University of Mainz (1998)
- M.Sc in Finance, London Business School (2006)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Bilingual in German and English
Personal
After leaving Munich, Stefan studied in Mannheim and Mainz and worked for three years in the German financial centre Frankfurt. He then took a break and enjoyed the sun at Cote d’Azur, living in Antibes and working in Sophia Antipolis Technology Park.
Stefan moved to London in 2003. He admits that it’s a completely different experience and that he enjoys each and every moment of it.
Travelling is one of Stefan’s favourite pastimes. He has kept in touch with many of his colleagues from around the world and has visited them in Australia, USA and Mexico.
Stefan started skiing aged seven and his favourite spot is Val Thorens as it's the biggest ski resort with the best snow in the Alps. He also played football for a Munich football club for thirteen years but nowadays he just doesn’t have the time - he takes the easy option and watches games in the pub instead!
Share price
The Board
Richard Curling was appointed in 2015. He has over 30 years' experience as a fund manager and is currently an investment director at Jupiter Fund Management Plc with extensive experience of investment trusts.
Caroline is a Chartered Accountant and was previously a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has over 30 years’ business, finance and audit experience across a number of industries and sectors bringing extensive experience to the Board.
Caroline also holds a number of other board positions including as a Non-Executive director of the Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc.
Gordon Neilly is currently a non-executive director of Personal Assets Trust plc. Mr Neilly was until the end of August 2020, Chief of Staff at Standard Life Aberdeen, prior to which he was Global Head of Strategy at Aberdeen Standard Investments and was responsible for developing the group's strategy and overseeing its implementation as well as overseeing all corporate activity for the Group and its closed end fund business. Gordon joined Aberdeen in 2016 from Cantor Fitzgerald where he held the position of Joint CEO.
Principal advisors
Alternative Investment Fund Manager and Investment Manager
Montanaro Asset Management Limited
53 Threadneedle Street
London EC2R 8AR
Tel: 020 7448 8600
Fax: 020 7448 8601
Company Secretary and Administrator
Link Company Matters Limited and Link Alternative Fund Managers
6th Floor
65 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7NQ
Tel: +44 7725 114 181
Solicitor and Registered Office
Dickson Minto W.S
16 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4DF
Registrar
Equiniti Limited
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex BN99 6DA
Stockbroker
Cenkos Securities Limited
6.7.8 Tokenhouse Yard
London EC2R 7AS
Depositary and Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon (International) Limited
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
Bankers
ING Bank N.V., London Branch
60 London Wall
London EC2M 5TQ
Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
25 Churchill Place
Canary Wharf
London E14 5EY
