Campbell Fleming, the head of JP Morgan Asset Management's business in the UK, is set to join rival funds house Threadneedle as its head of distribution in a surprise move after four years in his current role.

He will join the company next month, according to a statement by Threadneedle, and will report to chief executive Crispin Henderson. Fleming was appointed head of JP Morgan's UK funds division in 2005, after being in charge of technology and operations for the company's European fund management businesses for five years.