Portfolio managers George P. Fraise and Gordon M. Marchand have returned to John Hancock Advisers as managers of the John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund. The two had managed the fund through sub-advisor and Hancock subsidiary Yeager, Wood & Marshall until July, when Hancock terminated its relationship with the firm because the two managers were leaving to form their own company. Fraise and Marchand will now be Hancock employees while also still serving as principals of their new firm, Sustainable Growth Partners. If and when the fund's board approves hiring Sustainable Growth as the fund's sub-advisor, Fraise and Marchand will no longer be Hancock employees.
Maureen Ford, chairman and chief executive officer of John Hancock Funds, said bringing the two portfolio managers back on board is in the best interest of shareholders. The process of transitioning the firm over to a sub-advisory structure "may take a couple of months," Ford said, "but in the meanwhile, as employees of John Hancock Advisers, [Fraise and Marchand] will be able to tap the skills and talents of our staff as they manage the fund."
Fraise has 15 years of investment management experience and Marchand has 25.
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