Specialist gold analyst and strategist Misha Collins has left BT Investment Management.

Collins has been an analyst at BTIM for over 10 years. His first five years were under Crispin Murray in the European equities team, before he was made redundant in 2003. This was followed by a six-week stint at ING Investment Management, before he was welcomed back to BTIM on the Australian equities side, where he has been until present. For the past two-and-a-half years, Collins was employed part-time, two days per week. BTIM will not be replacing the role, stating that there was an existing capacity within the team to assume his responsibilities. Tim Barker, Australian equities analyst, will assume Collins’ research responsibilities with immediate effect. Collins’ marks the first loss to the investment management team since BT floated in August last year. The listing was designed to attract and retain staff in a tight labour market. BT shares, which were issued at $4.80, are currently valued at $3.01. Collins, who is still under employment contract for another three months, said the departure was amicable, but he was unable to comment on his future plans.