Jupiter CEO sees few reasons for M&A, keeping firm independent

London

IN an industry rife with deal-making, Maarten Slendebroek takes a simple approach to keeping Jupiter Fund Management plc independent: he avoids having meetings with investment bankers.

The Jupiter boss has repeatedly slapped down speculation that his firm, which oversees US$56 billion, could be the next to succumb to the wave of asset-manager mergers and acquisitions. The company doesn't need to cut costs, it's not losing money to cheaper passive funds and plans are in place to cope with expensive upcoming regulation, he said in an interview at his firm's London headquarters.