PHOENIX UK FUND - Key Persons
Alex graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages, focussing on Spanish & Portuguese literature. After leaving university, Alex joined Rothschild & Co Wealth Management, where he worked for two years in a client-facing role. Wanting to work in a more research-intensive role, Alex joined the Investment Team at Phoenix in October 2022. Alex holds the Investment Advice Diploma and is currently studying for the third level of the CFA exams.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys sport, particularly cricket & golf, as well as playing the bagpipes, much to the annoyance of his neighbours.
Andrew joined the Board in 2020.
In 1994 Andrew co-founded Lush and then co-managed the business alongside the other founders. Today Lush generates just under £1bn in retail sales from approx. 1,000 stores and online channels, supported by 8 manufacturing facilities across the globe.
Andrew has been Non-Executive Chairman of Hotel Chocolat plc since 2015
He holds stakes in a number of consumer businesses, including Balmonds, Rabot 1745, Mambo, Greenback Recycling & Ginger Teleporter.
Andrew holds a B.Com degree from Auckland University, New Zealand.
Job Titles:
- Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company and Career
Ben has a BA Honours degree in Business and Management. After leaving University, he joined a small café chain with three locations where he helped manage and improve business efficiency. Following this, Ben moved into a business analyst role with an online wedding list solutions provider, which involved work across all areas of the business, ultimately helping to improve efficiency during a time of significant growth.
In his spare time, Ben enjoys reading, films & TV, poker and caffeine.
Charlotte joined Phoenix in 2000, and is Deputy Portfolio Manager and Managing Director. She spends most of her time on research. Her areas of expertise include FMCG (both national and multinational companies), Engineering and Banking.
Before joining Phoenix, Charlotte worked in Investment Management at Ernst & Young LLP, where she passed the ACA Chartered Accountancy exams. She holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Charlotte also studied Manufacture & Management at the University of Birmingham and the University of Illinois and spent two years working in Industry at Alvis Aerospace and Procter & Gamble.
When her two young kids aren't keeping her busy, Charlotte enjoys tennis, cycling and travelling.
Dan graduated from the University of Bath with a BSc (Hons) in Economics. During his time as a student, Dan completed multiple internships within the investment management industry.
Doug studied Business Administration at the University of Bath, graduating in 2013. Upon graduation Doug joined the graduate scheme at UBS Investment Bank and worked in various roles within the prime brokerage division.
After 3 years at UBS Doug took a career break and cycled 7,000 km through Africa, during this trip he obtained a job working for the big cat conservation organisation, Panthera, which saw him work on projects across Asia and Africa.
Always having had a passion for business, finance and investing Doug joined Phoenix in July 2019.
Gary Channon co-founded Phoenix in 1998 and has been the Chief Investment Officer since inception.
Using the same strategy applied to the Phoenix UK Fund, Gary also manages additional segregated accounts for institutional clients.
Gary brings over 34 years of business and financial services experience. His career began in Fixed Income Trading at Nikko Securities Europe in 1987. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1989, working in Global Equity Derivative Products Trading. In 1992, Gary joined Nomura International PLC as Head of Equity Derivative Trading. He remained at Nomura International as Co-Head of Equity and Equity Derivatives Trading until moving on to co-found Phoenix.
Gary's investment approach at Phoenix is long-term, value-based and focused. He looks out for businesses run by competent, honest managers, who act in the interest of shareholders. Ideal companies have strong pricing power to generate an enduring high return on capital. Gary identifies great companies with good management, and waits for the opportunity to invest in them at attractive prices.
He lives and works in Barnes, South West London.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development
Gary joined the team in September 2017, and having been an investor since the outset, has always been familiar with the principles and workings of Phoenix.
Whilst Gary covers business development, he also brings his extensive knowledge of the fixed income markets to the Company, with the aim of looking at opportunities from a debt perspective, for the Company's investments in equities and handling the cash liquidity requirements for the Funds. Gary has worked for numerous International Banks and Brokerage houses over a 30-year career, in products spanning the full range of Fixed Income Government bonds to the many complex products of the Credit and structured markets. This enables him to focus on many parts of the debt market, on behalf of the team.
Away from Phoenix, Gary is very keen on his sport, with particular interest in Cricket, Rugby, Golf and Skiing. Also, more recently actively participating in some cycling events, and proud to have ridden on a number of fundraising events for the Halow Charity Project.
Job Titles:
- Head of Investor Relations
Gina joined the team in 2015 to manage investor relations and client service.
She has over 14 years' experience in the financial markets space. Prior to Phoenix, Gina worked in the EMEA investor relations and investor coverage team for an emerging markets focused private equity firm, where she also co-ordinated tracking of all fundraising within global coverage. She has spent time working in both London and South Africa for Africa focused private equity funds, particularly in the infrastructure and agricultural space; and formerly, with a global asset management firm.
Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Outside of work, Gina enjoys reading, the performing arts, travel and the outdoors.
Graham graduated from Bath University with a BSc (Hons.) degree in Business Administration. During his time at University he completed internships with Fidelity, Principal Investment Management and Motorola Finance as well as passing the IMC exam.
In 2005 he joined Aviva Investors on the graduate scheme, and then became a UK Equity Analyst. Having passed all three levels of the CFA exam, he became a UK Equity Fund Manager in 2008 and later also managed European funds before joining Rothschild Wealth Management in 2013 as a Senior Equity Analyst. There he helped shape and implement the equity research process, investing on a geographically unconstrained basis.
He enjoys running, supports Colchester United and has a particular interest in behavioural economics.
James joined Phoenix as a Fund Accountant in September 2022. James has eleven years' experience working in the finance industry. Prior to joining Phoenix he held positions as Finance Manager and Fund Accountant at a fund of funds/hedge fund manager and subsequently at a long/short and private equity manager.
James is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds a bachelor (Hons) degree in Accounting & Finance from the University of East Anglia.
Away from work, James is very keen on sport and enjoys going to watch football.
James joined Phoenix in 2013 and became a Partner shortly thereafter. James also manages The Huginn Fund which is our "performance fee only" international strategy.
Like all the members of the investment team at Phoenix, he will always be an analyst at heart looking after holdings in both the core strategy and the Huginn Fund.
Outside of work, James enjoys running, travelling, collecting Hornby trains and is a cat enthusiast.
Shortly after graduating from the University of Warwick with an Economics degree in 2012, James joined Rothschild Wealth Management. The majority of his time at Rothschild was spent as an Equity Analyst. After being promoted to Associate and attaining the CFA qualification, he later moved to Kraft-Heinz, where he gained 2 years of operational experience, finishing his time there as the ZBB Lead (cost control) for the EMEA Zone. An analyst at heart and with a passion for investing, he joined Phoenix in 2020.
Outside of work James enjoys travelling, sport, reading and playing his guitars.
Kasia joined the Phoenix investment team in the Summer 2020. Kasia studied for her PhD at the University of Cambridge, following degrees in History at the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick.
During her studies, Kasia worked on several research and analysis projects across a variety of organisations.
In her spare time, Kasia loves baking, cycling and visiting art galleries and museums.
Katrina joined Phoenix in April 2022. She has a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Management from the University of Leeds. After leaving University in 2019, Katrina started her career working in employee compliance at Deutsche Bank before moving on to a compliance officer role at a small mortgage lender.
Outside of work, Katrina enjoys swimming, travelling, and going to the theatre, as well as singing in the English Chamber Choir.
Job Titles:
- the Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty
Job Titles:
- Partner, COO of Castelnau Group
Lorraine joined Phoenix in early 2016.
Lorraine has over thirteen years' experience working in the finance industry. This includes working in the fund accounting and investment accounting sector for large banks in Dublin and London. She also worked as a client operations manager for a software vendor and has been involved in multiple accounting software implementation projects. Upon joiningg Phoenix, Lorraine headed up the Fund Operations team, before transitioning to the role of COO for Castelnau Group in 2021.
Lorraine holds a Bachelor (Hons) degree in Economics, from University College Dublin.
Away from work, Lorraine enjoys running, tag rugby, travelling and lots of coffee.
Job Titles:
- Investor Relations Analyst
- Phoenix As an Investor Relations Analyst
Maraki joined Phoenix as an Investor Relations Analyst in late 2022. Maraki has 7 years' experience working in the financial industry. This includes working as a Business Development Manager at Dynamo Software and LGBR capital. Prior to joining Phoenix, Maraki worked as an Investor Relations Executive at Puma Investments.
Job Titles:
- Research Analyst
- Phoenix in 2021 As a Member of the Investment Team
Mark joined Phoenix in 2021 as a member of the Investment Team.
Job Titles:
- No Bull: My Life in and Out of Markets
Oliver joined Phoenix in late 2021 to oversee Fund Operations and Fund Accounting.
Oliver has over fourteen years' experience working in the finance industry. This includes starting his career at PwC working in the Investment Funds Group, and then moving on to head of operations and finance positions at a credit hedge fund manager and subsequently at a long/short equity and private equity manager.
Oliver holds a Bachelor (Hons) degree in Economics and Finance, from University of Exeter and is a CFA charterholder.
Away from work, Oliver enjoys playing squash, tennis and travelling.
Peter joined Phoenix as a Fund Accountant in late 2019. Peter has eleven years' experience working in the finance industry. He gained Fund Accounting experience, originally at Citco in Dublin, and for the five years prior to joining Phoenix, at Towers Watson Investment Management based in Reigate.
Peter holds a Bachelor (Hons) degree in Business Studies obtained at Trinity College Dublin.
Outside of work, Peter mostly enjoys playing golf and watching football. He was a member of Howth Golf Club in Dublin and now is a member of Mitcham Golf Club.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources and Office Manager
Rebecca joined Phoenix in October 2022 as Human Resources and Office Manager. Rebecca has six years' experience in HR, IT and office management roles, including in the charity and commercial real estate sectors.
Rebecca is CIPD qualified and holds a BA Honours degree in English and French from the University of Exeter.
Outside of work, Rebecca volunteers with Girlguiding UK and enjoys running, travelling and live music.
Shaye joined Phoenix in early 2021.
She holds a BA Honours degree in Politics and Sociology from the University of Leicester. After leaving university, Shaye gained 2 years' experience within a wider business operations role in another small investment firm before taking up the role of business operations analyst here at Phoenix.
Away from work, Shaye loves keeping fit, travelling, mini golf and has a particular interest in international politics and relations.
Shelley Benée - Chief Compliance Officer
Shelley joined Phoenix in July 2017 as Head of Compliance and is thus responsible for ensuring the firms' compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, predominantly those emanating from the FCA and the SEC.
Before Phoenix, Shelley held compliance positions at firms including Schroders, Legg Mason and Prudential, focussing on the creation, management and distribution of investment products.
Shelley holds the CISI Diploma in Investment Compliance, the Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP and studied Politics at the University of Warwick.
Outside of work, Shelley enjoys going to the theatre, cooking and long walks with her family and dog.
Steve joined Phoenix as a Director in 2004. He is responsible for Business Development, Compliance & Operations and Investor Relations.
Steve has worked in financial services for over 27 years, beginning at Nomura International in the Operations and Equity Divisions in London and Hong Kong. He was appointed Co-Head of the Equity and Equity Derivatives Trading teams in 1998.
Steve initially combined his role at Phoenix with managing new and existing private company investments at Channon & Co, a private investment company owned by Gary Channon.
Steve holds a BSc. in Managerial and Business Studies from Aston University.
His main loves are cycling, skiing, rugby and Sunderland football club.
Job Titles:
- Phoenix As a Fund Accountant
Vaiga joined Phoenix as a Fund Accountant and Investor Relations Associate in November 2020. Vaiga has going on 6 years' experience working in the finance industry. Prior to joining Phoenix she worked at Willis Towers Watson where she gained her Client Onboarding and Fund Accounting experience.