On 10th June 2019, First State Investments confirmed that Helene Williamson, Head of Emerging Market Debt and a manager on the First State Emerging Markets Bond fund, will be leaving the firm later in the year.  As a result of this news, we have removed the fund from The Adviser Centre’s Recommended list.

First State Investments has an established Emerging Market and Asia Fixed Income team, headed by Jamie Grant.  The process is team based and disciplined and the portfolio managers work collegiately on the management of First State’s suite of emerging market debt portfolios, including the First State Emerging Markets Bond fund.  Mr Grant, who oversees emerging market debt business, will continue his active involvement in the investment approach across all the portfolios, while Ms Williamson’s portfolio management responsibilities will be shared amongst the portfolio managers in the team.

We will be keeping in touch with the First State Emerging Markets Bond fund and future developments.  Nonetheless, Ms Williamson’s departure is a significant event and leads us to withdraw the fund from The Adviser Centre.