Fun at number one for SLI’s UK smaller companies team

Leading fund manager, Standard Life Investments today celebrates the success of Harry Nimmo, who, backed by his award-winning UK Smaller Companies team, has been ranked Citywire’s Number One Fund Manager of the Year 2008.

The accolade is based upon the performance of Standard Life Investments UK Smaller Companies Fund over the last three years (to 31/12/07).

Since launch in January 1997, the fund has returned 361%, compared to the IMA UK Smaller Companies sector return of 145% (top decile performance) and is the number one ranked fund in its sector over one, three and six months, and over two and three years. The annualised return for the fund since launch was 14.7% versus the sector average of 8.4%.

Jacqueline Kerr, Head of Mutual Fund Investments at Standard Life Investments, said: “To sit in the position of Number One Fund Manager in the UK is a most impressive accolade, especially as the ranking is not restrained by sector or asset class. Harry has consistently delivered excellent risk-adjusted returns for his investors and this has been publicly recognised in the form of a AA rating from Standard & Poor’s and AAA ratings from both OBSR and Citywire. The fund also won the UK Smaller Companies fund sector category at the Trustnet Awards 2008.

“The accolade represents a significant achievement for Harry and his team who work closely and effectively in sharing and using to maximum advantage, their best investment ideas. Their success is testament to the robust investment processes adhered to and I have every confidence that they will continue to take advantage of the excellent stock-picking opportunities that remain in the smaller companies UK sector.”

Head of UK Smaller Companies and manager of the UK Smaller Companies Fund at Standard Life Investments, Harry Nimmo said; “Although market volatility has been an issue for the smaller companies sector recently, we are confident that over the medium to long term - the outlook is a positive one. It is our expectation that we will be able to look back and say that 2008 represented a fantastic opportunity for smaller company investors who seized the chance of being able to benefit from a period of more reasonable valuations.

“Our stock selection process is crucial to the success of this fund. We generally look for untapped potential in the smaller companies market and are able to recognise this through the use of our matrix system, research and analysis and importantly through meeting with companies on a face-to- face basis. On average we engage in over 500 company meetings a year, giving us an essential platform for accurate judgment of company fundamentals.”