Columbia Threadneedle
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is one of the largest asset managers in the UK, managing nearly £501 billion for clients globally*. It employs approximately 2,300 people, including approximately 550 investment specialists, spanning the world. *As of 30 September 2025
Introducing the Investment Managers
Dave Chapell
Senior Portfolio Manager
The Omnis UK Gilt Fund is run by the rates team at Columbia Threadneedle. Dave Chappel manages the Omnis Portfolio and joined joined Columbia Threadneedle when it acquired Scudder Investments in 1997. He is a Senior Portfolio Manager in the interest rate and currency team and plays a key role in US and UK rate and economic forecasting.
Dave is responsible for managing a broad range of US and UK fixed income mandates for insurance companies and several global government portfolios.
Alex Lyle
Managed
Alex Lyle is Columbia Threadneedle’s Head of Managed Funds. In 1980, he joined Hambros Bank’s unit trust division, which was acquired by Allied Dunbar in 1981 and subsequently became part of Threadneedle Investments in 1994. He managed UK equity portfolios for more than 20 years. He was appointed joint head of Threadneedle’s Pan European equity team in December 1999 and then Head of Managed Funds in May 2003. In this role he takes responsibility for a large number of our managed funds, is a member of the asset allocation committee and is a key investment contact between Columbia Threadneedle and some of our major clients.
Alasdair Ross
Head of Investment Grade Credit Portfolio Management
The Omnis Sterling Corporate Bond Fund is managed by Alasdair Ross, head of investment grade credit portfolio management in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who joined Columbia Threadneedle Investments in 2003. He manages a number of investment grade institutional and wholesale funds. He is also the investment grade representative on the global fixed income asset allocation team.
Alasdair has a first class honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
What does Columbia Threadneedle manage for Omnis?
Omnis Sterling Corporate Bond Fund
Why did Omnis pick Columbia Threadneedle to run these funds?
We consider Columbia Threadneedle a safe pair of hands - an attractive quality given the importance of the UK bond allocation to more cautious portfolios. It draws upon its global presence, scale and level of industry experience including a 54-strong fixed income analyst team with an average of 15 years experience in the industry.