Anthony Cross joined Schroder Investment Management as a graduate trainee. He spent his first three years as an equity analyst before joining the Smaller Companies team in 1994. During this time, Anthony identified a number of characteristics common to successful companies and on joining Liontrust in 1997 he was able to develop his thoughts further and create a documented investment process. This process, called Liontrust Economic Advantage, was applied to the Liontrust UK Smaller Companies Fund from the start of 1998. Its success and relevance to the broader market led to the launch of the Liontrust Special Situations Fund in 2005 and the management of the Liontrust UK Growth Fund in 2009. Anthony is currently an Alpha rated fund manager by Financial Express and AAA rated by Citywire. Awards for the funds that Anthony co-manages with Julian Fosh include Liontrust being named Best UK Equity Group by Money Observer magazine, the Liontrust Special Situations Fund being named: Best UK Growth fund at the Investment Week Fund Manager of the Year Awards in 2011 and 2012; Best UK Growth Fund at What Investment magazine; Best Fund in the UK All Companies Sector at the Moneywise Fund Awards 2012; and won the UK Equity Gold Award 2012 from Portfolio Adviser. The fund is also member of the 2012 100 club. Anthony graduated in 1990 from Exeter University with a degree in politics.