Midas Capital founder Edwards to exit MAM

MAM Funds' Simon Edwards is retiring from the firm in September.

The founder of MAM subsidiary Midas Capital, Edwards manages the £311m CF Midas Balanced Growth fund alongside Simon Callow, who will now take on responsibility for the fund.

Mark Wright is becoming assistant manager and will work in the growth team with Mike Taylor and Gervais Williams.

Edwards established Liverpool-based Midas Capital Partners in 2002. It was then taken over by iimia Miton Optimal in 2008, changing its name to Midas Capital. The group was rebranded MAM Funds in July last year.

Edwards was part of the management buyout which saw £20m of capital raised following the issue of new shares, as well as former Gartmore manager Gervais Williams joining MAM as managing director in March.

Despite being a Midas founder, Edwards opted to continue in his role running the funds rather than resume boardroom duties.

Instead Williams, Ian Dighe and former marketing director at Chase De Vere Graham Hooper joined the board as directors.

Over the three years to 28 March Edwards' Balanced Growth fund returned 7.2% against a Balanced Managed sector average of 14.9%, ranking it 101st out of 116 funds in the peer group.

His colleague in the Liverpool office is Alan Borrows, running the CF Midas Balanced Income fund, which has £288m under management.

Edwards previously oversaw the investment management of the £3bn Merseyside Pension fund, and has also worked for Credit Suisse First Boston as a director.