Head of Europe for UK-based asset manager Federated Hermes, James Rutherford, has stepped down from his role to pursue a technology venture, The TRADE can reveal.
According to an update on his social media, Rutherford is departing the investment management industry after 35 years to take on a more active role in SmartFrame Technologies, a venture which he has been chairman of for six years. SmartFrame uses streaming technology to offer better control around publishing images online.
“I shall be taking up a more active role in a corporate development and investment advisory position, at an extraordinarily exciting time for the business. So I move from public markets to private markets and in doing so hopefully bridge some of the obstacles and misconceptions that arise between the two,” Rutherford said in his update.
“I love markets and investing with a passion, it has always given me purpose and drive. It brings something new every day and the learning curve never ends. I hope in my new role that I continue to learn but also draw on all my experience to pass on, help others and create something special.”
He departs following a 35-year long career in investment management, spending 19 years at Fidelity Investments as a European portfolio manager until 2006. Following his stint at Fidelity, Rutherford departed to co-found Sourcecap international, an investment management company for European equities which was later acquired by Hermes International.
Following the acquisition, Rutherford spent the last 14 years as head of Europe for Federated Hermes.