The Times: Talbut's key role at Royal London: “Mr Corporate Governance”: “He led British institutional investors in several high-profile lobbying actions, including an attempt to effect structural and managerial changes at Royal Dutch/Shell following its reserves overbooking scandal.” (ShellNews.net)

By Louise Armitstead

Posted October 18, 2004  

ROBERT TALBUT, the fund manager dubbed Mr Corporate Governance because of his shareholder activism for Isis, has been appointed chief investment officer of Royal London Asset Management.

Talbut, who was squeezed out of his job when Isis bought its larger rival F&C to create F&C Asset Management in a deal completed last Monday, will start in his new position on November 1.

Royal London, which has well-regarded bond portfolios, wants Talbut to boost its equity funds, particularly on the high-alpha, or activist, side.

Talbut will also develop and build Royal London’s corporate governance expertise. The company, with £25 billion of assets under management, is a subsidary of Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, Britain’s second-largest mutual life insurer.

At Isis, Talbut gained a reputation for taking strong public stances and engaging with company management on matters of corporate governance.

He led British institutional investors in several high-profile lobbying actions, including an attempt to effect structural and managerial changes at Royal Dutch/Shell following its reserves overbooking scandal.

Talbut remains on the investment committee of the Association of British Insurers.