Michael Gordon, the former European chief investment officer for Fidelity International, based in London, has left the firm and has told friends he will take a break from the funds management industry.

Gordon, who was co-chief executive of Schroders in Sydney before starting a nine-year stint with Fidelity in Australia, Asia and Europe, was most recently in a senior client assistance role liaising with asset consultants and large pension funds on strategy.

Gordon is understood to be considering his options of whether to remain in the UK or return to Australia.

Two other Australians in senior London-based roles – Mark Lazberger, formerly of SSgA, and John Fraser, formerly of UBS Asset Management – have either returned or are planning to return soon, with Fraser due to become chair of Victorian Funds Management Corporation mid-year.