Portfolio management changes to the MFS Low Volatility and Blended Research strategies

March 26, 2026

Plan sponsors may wish to consider whether this investment news has any implications for the investment options available within their plans. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada purchases units of the funds listed below, which are established as segregated funds in accordance with the Insurance Companies Act (Canada).

This is an update only and you don’t need to take any action as a result of this news.

MFS recently announced that Matt Krummell, co-Portfolio Manager (PM) on MFS’ Blended Research team, is retiring on April 7, 2027. Krummell joined MFS in 2001 as a quantitative research analyst before joining the portfolio management team. Krummell will retire with over 31 years of industry experience. 

The Blended Research team manages MFS’ low volatility, targeted tracking error, and income-focused strategies. On Sun Life’s Core platform, this includes the following funds:

  • MFS Low Volatility Canadian Equity
  • MFS Low Volatility Global Equity
  • Sun Life MFS Low Volatility International Equity
  • MFS Blended Research Global Equity (recently added to the platform)

The Blended Research team utilizes both quantitative and fundamental research to manage their strategies. The team consists of a team of PMs that is supported by both quantitative and fundamental research analysts.

In anticipation of Krummell’s retirement, MFS announced that Jenney Zhang and Nathan Bryant, both analysts on the Quantitative Equity Research team, had joined the Blended Research portfolio management team on January 1, 2026. Zhang joined MFS in 2011 and has over 19 years of industry experience. Bryant joined MFS in 2015 and has over 10 years of industry experience.  

The Blended Research PM team now consists of six PMs but will drop to five following Krummell’s retirement. In addition to Krummell, Zhang, and Bryant, the team includes experienced PMs Jonathan Sage, James Fallon and Jed Stocks. James Fallon will continue to act as lead PM for the Low Volatility funds and Jonathan Sage will continue to act as lead PM for the Blended Research Global Equity funds. These PMs will continue to be supported by a dedicated team of quantitative equity research analysts.

MFS uses a team approach to manage their investment portfolios. MFS indicated that the investment philosophy and process won’t change because of the changes to the PM team.

GRS Investment Solutions team view

We are comfortable with the changes to the Blended Research PM team. The transition will occur over fifteen months before Krummell’s departure. While new to the PM role, Zhang and Bryant have directly supported both the Blended Research team as part of the Quantitative Equity Research team and should be familiar with the investment decision-making processes. Most importantly, the Blended Research team will have continuity and experience from the existing PM team of Sage, Fallon and Stocks, who collectively have 84 years of investment experience.

We will continue to evaluate these changes and provide further updates as necessary.

Questions?

Please contact your Sun Life Group Retirement Services Representative*.

*In Quebec, registered as a Group annuity plans advisor.