Invesco announced on Wednesday (September 18) that Ian Hargreaves, co-head of its Asia and Emerging Markets equities division, will officially leave the firm on March 31, 2027. His departure will trigger management changes across several funds he currently oversees, including the Invesco Asia Dragon Trust, along with the Invesco Asian Equity Fund, Invesco Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Invesco Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Invesco Developing Markets Fund.

Until his official retirement, Hargreaves will continue to collaborate closely with the existing team, maintaining oversight of all related funds. Following his exit, William Lam will remain in his role as co-head of the team, while Charles Bond is slated to be appointed as the additional co-head in early 2027.

Reflecting on his decision, Hargreaves stated, "Having spent 32 years at Invesco, I believe this is the right moment for me to retire." He added, "I have complete confidence in the deep talent pool within the Asia and Emerging Markets team and trust that they will continue to deliver significant value for our clients in the years ahead."

Sergey Davalchenko, Invesco's Chief Investment Officer for Global and International Equities, paid tribute, saying, "Hargreaves is a highly respected investment leader who has generated substantial returns for both clients and the firm through his expertise, keen insights, and disciplined investment framework." Davalchenko added, "We thank him for 32 years of dedicated service and numerous contributions, and we wish him a well-deserved and enjoyable retirement."

Data from FE Fundinfo reveals that from 2004, when records began, through August 31, 2026, Hargreaves delivered a total return of 340.7% for investors, significantly outperforming the average return of 284.2% achieved by comparable funds over the same period.

Commenting on the impact of his retirement on the associated investment trusts, Matthew Read, Senior Analyst at QuotedData, noted, "Hargreaves has been deeply intertwined with the Invesco Asia Dragon Trust, and his departure feels like the end of an era." However, Read pointed out that "he has been working alongside Fiona Yang since 2022, and she has already assumed the role of lead fund manager in 2024."

Read further remarked that the majority of the management responsibilities had already been transitioned, making this retirement a natural and logical progression. The related funds under Invesco are expected to undergo a smooth handover process.