Fidelity is to launch a new global equity fund to be run by former Eden Financial equity income manager Dan Roberts, Investment Week reports.

Roberts only joined Eden in July; his departure will mean that the firm will delay the launch of its Global Equity Income Fund, which was scheduled for later on this year, the report said.

At Fidelity Roberts will join a newly-created global equity income team headed by Paras Anand, whose appointment from F&C Investments was announced last week.

“Dan's sudden change of heart is a big surprise and a disappointment, however there is no impact on our clients or investors as his departure occurs before the start date of the planned global equity income fund,” Ed Rosengarten, head of asset management at Eden Financial, was quoted as having said.

“The team has been working hard on preparing the fund for the market, but Eden will now bring forward its other product launches. Eden is a team effort and whilst Dan is no longer part of that, we wish him well wherever his career may take him,” he continued.

Neither of the firms had responded to enquiries from WealthBriefing on the matter at the time of publication.