Comgest Growth Europe ex UK

Alistair Wittet, an Analyst and Portfolio Manager at Comgest since 2012, specializes in European equities and co-leads the Pan Europe and Europe ex UK strategies. He is also a member of the Comgest Group's Investment Committee. Alistair began his career as an Analyst at Standard Life Investments in 2006 and later worked at Citigroup in London, focusing on the pan-European food retail sector. A British and French national, he graduated in Geography from Durham University and is a CFA® charterholder.

Franz Weis, a Portfolio Manager specializing in European equities, joined Comgest in 2005. As the firm's Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and a Managing Director, he leads European research and co-manages most of Comgest’s European equity strategies. Franz oversees the investment teams and chairs the Investment Committee, which implements Comgest’s long-term investing philosophy. He began his career in 1990 at Baillie Gifford & Co. and later worked at F&C Asset Management as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Franz holds a Master’s degree in International Banking and Financial Studies from Heriot-Watt University, where he received the International Bankers in Scotland Prize in 1990.

James Hanford joined Comgest in 2018 as an Analyst and Portfolio Manager focusing on European equities. He plays a key role in researching a diverse range of quality growth stocks across Europe. James began his career in 2011 as an Analyst at Credit Suisse and spent four years as a global generalist at Capital Group before joining Comgest. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Durham, where he graduated top of his class, and a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Cambridge. James is also a CFA® charterholder.