Objectives and Approach

The Fund aims to achieve investment growth over the long term (5 years, or more). It also looks to outperform the Russell 2500 Index (“the Index”) over rolling 3-year periods, after the deduction of charges. The Fund is actively managed, and invests at least 75% of its assets in shares of American smaller companies. The Fund considers American smaller companies to be those domiciled in the United States of America (US), or with significant US business operations, and which have a market size ranging from typically $500 million to $10 billion at the time of investment. The Index is regarded as an appropriate performance measure of shares in which the Fund invests and provides a suitable target benchmark against which Fund performance will be evaluated over time. The Investment Manager selects smaller companies considered to have good prospects for share price growth, from across different industries and economic sectors. The Investment Manager typically invests in fewer than 80 companies, which may include shares of some companies not within the Index. The Investment Manager also seeks to create a portfolio that compares favourably against the Index over rolling 12-month periods, when assessed using the Columbia Threadneedle ESG Materiality Rating model. This model (developed and owned by Columbia Threadneedle Investments) analyses company data to assess how effectively material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities are being managed. If sufficient data is available, the combined results are expressed as a numerical rating to indicate how much exposure a company has to material ESG risks and opportunities in a particular industry. Whilst the Fund may still invest in shares of companies that have poor ESG Materiality ratings, at least 50% of the portfolio is invested in companies with strong ratings. The Investment Manager engages with companies with a view to influencing management teams to address material ESG risks and improve their ESG practices. The Fund only invests in companies that follow good governance practices. It does not invest in companies which derive revenue from industries or activities above the thresholds shown: tobacco production (5%); nuclear weapons – indirect involvement (5%), conventional weapons – military, or civilian firearms (10%), and thermal coal – extraction or power generation (30%). The Fund excludes companies that have direct involvement in nuclear or controversial weapons, and companies determined to have breached international standards and principles. The Fund may invest in other securities, collective investment schemes (including funds managed by Columbia Threadneedle companies), money market instruments, deposits, and cash. Derivatives may only be held with the aim of reducing risk or managing the Fund more efficiently.