Take on Trusts – June 2025

In June, the Edison investment companies team highlighted Hansa Investment Company’s (HAN’s) proposed all-share combination with Ocean Wilsons (OCN), which should simplify HAN’s structure and increase its scale, while maintaining exposure to hard-to-access funds (including private equity), alongside value-biased global equities and a defensive allocation. There was cause for celebration as Worldwide Healthcare Trust (WWH) marked 30 years as a one-stop shop for global healthcare exposure and Franklin Global Trust (FRGT) announced a new co-manager, as well as the formation of a larger, US-based investment team. Finsbury Growth & Income Trust (FGT) is anticipating improved performance from a portfolio of dominant global businesses and Partners Group Private Equity (PEY) made strides in enhancing shareholder value through a refined capital allocation framework, fee structure renegotiation, deeper shareholder engagement and a strengthened board. We released new podcast episodes covering Baillie Gifford’s Conference and Utilico Emerging Markets Trust (UEM), plus two Vantage interviews with Stephen Yiu of Blue Whale Growth Fund (BWF) and George Barrow of Polar Capital Global Financials Trust (PCFT). Until next month, the Edison investment companies team.