London-based asset manager Gartmore has recruited Dan Roberts from Aviva Investors to manage its £137 million ($202 million) UK Equity Income Fund.

Mr Roberts will join Gartmore in mid-July, after which the current manager of the UK Equity Income Fund, Chris Burvill, will focus solely on the Gartmore’s £639 million Cautious Managed Fund.

Mr Roberts has worked for Aviva Investors for six years, managing over £500 million of assets. Having begun his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he has also held investment-focused positions at M&G and Invesco.

“This appointment strengthens our position in UK equities and specifically in a product category which we believe has great long term potential. Dan brings a wealth of talent and experience and a fresh approach to the team which we are confident will complement and enhance our current approach,” said Dominic Rossi, Gartmore’s chief investment officer.

Gartmore specialises in long-only and alternative asset management, serving investors in the UK, Europe, the US, Japan and South America. Headquartered in London, Gartmore also has offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid and Tokyo.

The firm is owned by private equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman and Gartmore’s senior fund managers and executives. At 31 December 2008, Gartmore had over £18 billion in assets under management.