Fantasy fund manager competition 2026
Six financial journalists select their favoured trusts for this year and beyond.
It’s back. After a nail-biting finish to the competition in 2025, which saw our top two contestants make gains of almost 30%, we have invited some more of the country’s leading investment journalists to participate in a new fantasy investment competition this year.
The rules are the same. Each journalist has been given an imaginary £10,000 to be split equally between four investment trusts. We have asked that they choose funds that they would be happy to hold for the long term but think could do particularly well in 2026. There is no prize – except for the glory of coming out on top.
All our participants say that investing is a long-term commitment, and that anybody considering stocks and shares should be thinking about holding their investments for at least five years, preferably ten or more. But for a bit of fun, and to highlight some of their favourite investment trusts, they have volunteered to take part in this competition.
We’ll be giving you monthly updates on their performance throughout the year. To keep up to date on how the six portfolios are doing, you can sign up to our Compass newsletter or follow us on X and LinkedIn.
Read about our participants below and find out which investment trusts they think could top the tables in 2026.
Holly Mead
Award-winning freelance journalist with 15 years’ experience writing about investment trusts
Holly’s portfolio includes Polar Capital Technology for essential exposure to tech. BlackRock World Mining will benefit if the commodities boom continues, while International Biotechnology Trust returned 47.3% last year as the sector saw a flurry of mergers and acquisitions. Finally, Ashoka India Equity offers exposure to a fast-growing economy with some of the most exciting companies in the region.
Jeff Prestridge
Group Wealth & Personal Finance Editor, Daily Mail Group
Jeff has been a leading voice in personal finance and investment for over 30 years. His picks include space technology specialist Seraphim Space, Mercantile Investment Trust, which focuses on medium and smaller UK companies, Temple Bar, another UK-focused trust with a focus on value, and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, the global trust known for its tech and AI exposure.
Moira O’Neill
Award-winning freelance investment journalist and last year’s winner
In 2025, Moira’s picks rose by a total of 29.4%, cementing her victory in the inaugural fantasy fund manager competition. She has switched her portfolio this year to include Golden Prospect Precious Metals, which was last year’s best performing investment trust with an eye-watering return of 164.8%. Then she has chosen UK specialist Schroder UK Mid Cap, and an “insurance” pick in Personal Assets Trust, which focuses on wealth preservation. Her final choice is Templeton Emerging Markets Trust.
Peter Higgins
Presenter, podcaster, long-term private investor and co-founder of the Investor Summit
Peter has bet big on the commodities boom, picking BlackRock World Mining and CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income. For some diversification he has added UK smaller companies specialist Rockwood Strategic and finally Vietnam Enterprise Investments for some exposure to a ‘frontier’ market which is moving rapidly towards ‘emerging’ status.
Lynn Beattie
Freelance financial journalist and accountant, better known as financial influencer Mrs Mummypenny
Lynn’s portfolio includes Allianz Technology Trust, the global technology specialist, Henderson Smaller Companies, which focuses on UK small caps, and an emerging market pick with Schroder Asian Total Return. Alliance Witan, the global multi-manager trust and FTSE 100 constituent, completes her line-up.
Gavin Lumsden
Journalist specialising in investment trusts, currently Head of News at QuotedData
Gavin has gone for balance between attack and defence with his choices. He has bet heavily on high-profile manager Nick Train by opting for Finsbury Growth & Income Trust, where he is hoping for a turnaround this year, as well as Lindsell Train Investment Trust, which Train also manages. To round out his portfolio he has selected the global multi-asset trust RIT Capital Partners and financials specialist Augmentum Fintech.
Important note
The information and trust selections are for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute investment advice or personal recommendations. The opinions expressed are those of the individual writers and not of the AIC. You should not make investment decisions based solely on this information and you should seek independent financial advice to identify investments that suit your own personal circumstances and needs. See our full terms of use.
