UK asset manager Threadneedle has hired three UK equities managers from rivals and promoted a highly regarded manager to run its equities business over a year after his predecessor resigned, according to a statement issued yesterday.

Leigh Harrison, currently head of UK equities at Threadneedle, has been promoted to take on a role as overall head of equities. He will remain co-head of UK equities and will continue to report to Sarah Arkle, the company's chief investment officer, who was interim head of equities after the former head, Dominic Rossi, moved to Gartmore in late 2008.