Athelney Trust chairman offloads entire stake

The chairman of Athelney Trust has sold his entire holding in the small cap-focused investment trust, the company said on Friday.

Hugo Deschampsneufs offloaded his 78,038 shares in Athelney at a price of 201p each, raising £156,856.

His move follows a 21% drop in Athelney's share price over the last year.

Athelney's full-year results in March showed a 4% rise in the audited net asset value to 228p per share.

Speaking at the time of results, Deschampsneufs said 2015 was likely to be a "tricky year".

"My opinion, for what it is worth, is that smaller companies are better value than blue chips and that, with a decent tail wind, a modest uplift in asset prices of equities and commercial property is the most likely outcome," he said.

Top Director Buys

Dillistone Group (DSG)
Director name: Mr Mike Love
Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 106.50p
Value: £106,500

Anglo Pacific Group (APF)
Director name: Mr Patrick Meier
Amount purchased: 75,000 @ 99.00p
Value: £74,250

Mitchells & Butlers (MAB)
Director name: Mr Stewart Gilliland
Amount purchased: 11,000 @ 449.99p
Value: £49,499

Debenhams (DEB)
Director name: Mr Terry Duddy
Amount purchased: 40,000 @ 94.30p
Value: £37,720

Athelney Trust (ATY)
Director name: Mr Robin G Boyle
Amount purchased: 6,000 @ 201.00p
Value: £12,060

Top Director Sells

Athelney Trust (ATY)
Director name: Mr Hugo Deschampsneufs
Amount sold: 78,038 @ 201.00p
Value: £156,856