344. UK Mid-Cap Opportunities: Books, games and big returns

Alexandra Jackson, manager of the Rathbone UK Opportunities fund, shares insights on two fascinating UK companies — Bloomsbury Publishing and Games Workshop. Despite market challenges, these companies have successfully capitalised on their niche markets through strategic growth and innovation. From Bloomsbury's ability to thrive in the digital era to Games Workshop's cult-like following and global expansion, learn what makes these businesses resilient and attractive to investors.

What’s covered in this episode: 

• The appeal of Bloomsbury Publishing
• How BookTok is driving growth
• Should investors be worried about TikTok in the US
• The niche drivers behind Games Workshop
• The promotion of Games Workshop to FTSE 100
• Why good management is important 
• Putting the long-term interests of shareholders first
• The flexibility to run your winners
• Structural issues in the UK market
• Opportunities on the AIM market
• Software reseller: Bytes Technology and Softcat
• Holding belief in UK equities 
• Keeping the fire alive for UK equities
• The simple reason to buy UK equities today

More about the fund: The Rathbone UK Opportunities fund is a flexible fund targeting quality growth businesses, looking to take advantage of cheap UK valuations. The fund combines structural winners with a strong core of high-quality compounders with a final portfolio of around 50 to 60 holdings, with a bias to mid-cap stocks.

Learn more on fundcalibre.com

Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.