Philip Rodrigs also left with a cloud over his head, though the circumstances surrounding his departure were very different from Barnett with River and Mercantile sacking him over an alleged conduct issue, which he has disputed. His boutique Raynar Portfolio Management opened its doors in February 2020, as the pandemic was ramping up and a year later had amassed £75m in assets under management. Easier for big name managers to stage comeback at boutiques Fund buyers reckon it will be easier for Barnett to stage a comeback at a boutique than at one of the fund giants. GDIM investment manager Tom Sparke says boutiques lend themselves well to more high-profile managers who may conflict with other ‘big names’ in a larger firm.