UK-based Artemis Investment Managers has appointed Mark Niznik as co-manager of the £663.1 million ($1.3 billion) Artemis UK Smaller Companies fund alongside John Dodd. Mr Niznik joined the boutique last week after a six-month sabbatical, following his departure from Standard Life Investments where he managed the £405.6 million UK Opportunities fund from its launch in November 2002 until April. Prior to this he was a small cap fund manager at Invesco Perpetual and a private client fund manager at Greig Middleton & Co.