On 5^th July 2017, BlackRock announced that Mark Wharrier, Managing Director and co-portfolio manager of the BlackRock UK Income fund, is leaving the firm to pursue another career opportunity.  As a result of this news, we have removed the fund from The Adviser Centre’s Recommended list.

Adam Avigdori and David Goldman remain as co-managers and BlackRock has indicated that there is no immediate intention to replace Mr Wharrier.

Mr Wharrier was appointed co-manager of the BlackRock UK Income in 2013, working closely with existing manager Mr Avigdori.  Mr Goldman was appointed co-manager in 2015, having joined Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (before the merger with BlackRock) in 2004.  Therefore, Mr Avigdori and Mr Goldman are well-versed in the renewed investment approach that Mr Wharrier introduced after he joined the firm, as well as being long-standing BlackRock employees.

The UK Income team is part of BlackRock’s UK Equity team, which numbers 15 professionals, and the two co-managers of the fund will continue to work closely with their colleagues in the generation and monitoring of ideas.

Given the significance of this team change, we have decided to remove the fund from The Adviser Centre.