Since launching in November 2009, Schroders’ Global Alternative Investor Access (GAIA) platform has positioned itself firmly in the Ucits space. Currently, it hosts three funds (Egerton European Equity, Sloane Robinson Emerging Markets and a Multi Manager Fund of Funds), with plans to add a forth mid-August. “The Global Equity Absolute Return Fund will be a similar size to our existing funds and be internally managed by our global quant team,” explains Gavin Ralston (pictured), Global Head of Product, Schroders. The fund will be market-neutral and, as with the other funds, its investment process will be monitored by NewFinance Capital. Ralston further adds: “We’re very positive on Ucits but very selective on what strategies can work. Offering everything will not work; we put a lot of weight behind all of our chosen funds.” As of end of June, AUM on GAIA was USD130 million.