Aled Smith, formerly one of M&G Investments’ senior fund managers, has joined £30bn rival JO Hambro Capital Management as investment director — responsible for overseeing the firm’s portfolio management teams.

Smith, whose departure from M&G after 18 years was announced last November, co-founded the £286bn fund manager’s global equity franchise and most recently ran its M&G Global Leaders fund. He also played a key role training and mentoring younger fund managers.