Jupiter Asset Management has announced the appointment of Guy de Blonay, who will join Jupiter in January 2010. de Blonay, who has 13 years’ investment experience, will initially join Jupiter in an advisory capacity before joining Jupiter’s market-leading team of financial fund managers, Philip Gibbs and Robert Mumby. de Blonay has managed the New Star Global Financials Fund since December 2001 and before that, worked as an analyst at Jupiter for six years. Edward Bonham Carter, Chief Executive of Jupiter Asset Management, said: “Guy has established a strong track record for managing financial funds in the past eight years and his decision to join us will further cement our reputation as the leading financial fund manager in the UK. We are delighted to welcome Guy back to Jupiter.”
CQS has appointed Neil Gregson to develop and further build out the group’s equity business both in closed and open ended funds. Commenting on Gregson’s appointment Michael Hintze, Chief Executive Officer of CQS, said: “Neil has 20 years of experience in fund management. He has an outstanding track record in leading and building fund management equity teams in resources and emerging markets. I believe he will make a significant contribution to the development and growth of our equity business, especially the listed and resources platform.”
BLM Partners has announced that Gary Long has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. Long will be a partner in the firm and will work closely with the founding partners to continue to develop BLM’s investment offering and deliver its strategy as well as oversee the operational management of the firm. Long joins BLM from Investcorp, where he has been the President and Chief Operating Officer since 2003. Based in Bahrain, he joined Investcorp in 1994 as the Chief Financial Officer. In his most recent role, Long managed all lines of business - private equity, hedge funds, real estate - as well as the client placement function. During this time he played a key role in helping Investcorp to establish its hedge fund and Gulf private equity businesses, more than doubling assets under management and listing the company on the London Stock Exchange. He was also instrumental in improving the operational infrastructure of the company.
Deutsche Asset Management has announced the appointment of Boris Liedtke as Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific ex-Japan. Based in Singapore, Liedtke will be responsible for the implementation of DeAM’s strategy in the region, its relationships with regional regulators and governments, and will also chair DeAM’s Asia Pacific Regional Management Committee. He will report to Mark Cullen, Global Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Asset Management, who had also been acting head of DeAM Asia Pacific. Liedtke has spent the last 15 years with Deutsche Bank, including eight years in Asia. During this time he was based both in Hong Kong and Singapore, where he played a role in establishing new business operations for Deutsche Bank in the region. Most recently he held a number of COO roles within DeAM/DWS Investments in both Frankfurt and New York.
Newedge has announced that John Ruskin has been named Global Head of Financial Futures and Options Execution. In his new role, Ruskin will oversee the global operations of Newedge’s FF&O teams, facilitating cross-border trading and client’s execution needs across asset classes. Previously, Ruskin worked as Managing Director for the Cube Division of Fimat, before the formation of Newedge in January 2008. Cube, an organisation focused solely on the execution of financial futures and options, as well as equity derivatives, was co-founded by Ruskin in 1997 and acquired by Fimat in 2006 to enhance the firm’s execution capability and clearing activities. Ruskin first began his career at the London International Financial Futures Exchange, where he worked for various companies as a floor trader and manager. Nicolas Breteau, Global Head of Sales & Front Office for Newedge, said, “For over 18 years, John has been a driving force in the financial futures and options industry’s development. His extensive experience will be a benefit to our global client base and help establish Newedge’s FF&O area as one of our firm’s premier global business lines.”
Rothschild Private Banking & Trust has made two senior appointments to its research and investment management team. Rob Stewart has been appointed as Head of Fixed Income. He has 19 years’ experience across a range of fixed income and investment management roles. He joins Rothschild from UBS Wealth Management where he managed the UBS Active Bond Fund and was a Senior Investment Manager. Hugo Capel-Cure joins Rothschild as a Senior Portfolio Manager from Deutsche Bank where he was a Managing Director and equity specialist. He has 15 years experience in investment management, including three years as an international fund manager for Coutts & Co. Dirk Wiedmann, Head of Investments, Rothschild Private Banking and Trust, commented: “I am delighted that we have found two individuals with Rob and Hugo’s experience and track record to join our investment team in London.”
Syndicate Asset Management has announced the appointment of Mark Cheshire as Chief Executive Officer of its newly formed Ashcourt Rowan wealth management businesses: Ashcourt Rowan Asset Management and Ashcourt Rowan Financial Planning, due to formally launch in January 2010. Mark Cheshire was previously Director of UK Private Wealth Management at Lloyds TSB Group (December 2007-May 2009) and Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director at Lloyds TSB Private Banking August 2003-November 2007. Cheshire originally joined Lloyds in 1980. Jonathan Freeman, Syndicate Asset Management Group CEO, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to our business. He brings an operational expertise for managing and developing a national wealth management business that is able to grow funds under management based on the principle of delivering exceptional service.”
Nikko Asset Management has hired Michael Herring as COO/CFO of its US operations. Herring has taken on the dual role of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, where he assumes full responsibility for the financial, administrative, and operational divisions within Nikko AM’s US operation. He reports to Charles Beazley, President of Nikko Asset Management Europe. Herring will work as part of a leadership team in the New York office, alongside Hiroko Tsujimura, CIO and Global Head of Alternative Investments, and Christina Alfandary, head of US Marketing and Sales. Herring joins from Bay Harbour Management where he was Chief Financial Officer and Head of Risk Management. Prior to this, he spent eight years at LaBranche & Co, most latterly as the firm’s Chief Risk Officer. During a career spanning almost 20 years, Herring has also held a number of senior roles at Ernst and Young and, more recently, JP Morgan.
Future Capital Partners has appointed Andrew Derrington to its business development team. Derrington’s role with FCP will primarily focus on building strong working relationships with both clients and intermediaries. FCP’s investment opportunities are available to investors through financial institutions, wealth managers, IFAs and accountants, and Derrington will help to further develop FCP’s network of these intermediaries. He will also play a significant role in business development and client liaison. Derrington has over 10 years’ experience within the investment arena, the last four of which has been spent within FCP’s specialist area of high quality alternative investments which are structured to mitigate downside and enhance returns. Derrington joins FCP from Mercury Tax Group where he jointly ran the London office.
The International Organisation of Securities Commissions has announced the appointment of Tajinder Singh as Deputy Secretary General of the IOSCO General Secretariat. He will take up his appointment early in 2010. Singh is currently Head of International Affairs & Human Resource Development and Executive Assistant to the Chairman in the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Singh comes from the Indian Administrative Service and has held various positions in the Ministry of Finance in the Government of India, as well as handling a number of assignments for the government in the financial and other sectors. He has over 18 years of experience at senior leadership positions in different organisations dealing with strategic issues in regulation, finance and administration, and significant domestic and international experience dealing with Government and regulators. The Deputy Secretary General’s duties include providing strategic advice; implementing aspects of IOSCO’s Strategic Direction; managing relations with IOSCO’s membership and being responsible for the administrative functioning of the Secretariat.
Red Star Asset Management has announced the appointment of Scott Licamele, former Vice President of Equity Research Sales at Renaissance Capital, where his responsibilities include emerging markets equity research and business development. Prior to working at Renaissance Capital, Licamele headed up North American equity sales and trading for Russia’s Alfa Bank in New York. He also marketed Alfa Capital Partners private equity fund to North American clients. Red Star Asset Management LP’s Managing Director, James Fenkner, commented on the addition of Licamele: “Scott brings new energy and depth of experience to the management team. His experience in emerging equity markets, particularly in the commodity-focused former Soviet Union, substantially enhances the firm’s research and stock selection capabilities.” Licamele, who has lived in Russia and Ukraine for over five years, has extensive experience operating in emerging markets.
Cheyne Capital has announced the appointment of Max Nardulli as Head of International Sales and Distribution. In this newly created position, Nardulli will be responsible for the marketing of Cheyne’s expanding range of products globally, excluding the UK. Nardulli joins Cheyne from Goldman Sachs Asset Management where he was a Managing Director, Head of the Alternative Capital Markets team responsible for EMEA and Asia ex-Japan. Prior to this, he was responsible for GSAM business development in southern Europe, Israel and Latin American. He joined Goldman in 2001. Jonathan Lourie, co-Founder of Cheyne, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Max to Cheyne to support us in the marketing of our diverse range of products, including our new real estate debt, European event driven and equity macro offerings. Our investor base continues to broaden, particularly internationally and among institutions, so we are pleased to be able to add someone of Max’s calibre to our team of high-quality people to develop and maintain our excellent client relationships.”
Custom House Global Fund Services has announced two new key additions to the firm’s global marketing efforts. David Barry, ACCA, rejoins, now as Head of Sales and Marketing for UK, Europe and the Middle East from the firm’s Dublin office. John Higgins joins as Head of Sales and Marketing for the Americas and is based in Chicago. They both report to Chairman Dermot Butler who oversees marketing and sales globally. Barry was most recently director of accounting for IFS Ireland, a State Street owned company, where he was responsible for NAV production for their largest client. Prior to that, he was Manager of Global Operations at Custom House Administration in Chicago where he was solely managing and controlling the Chicago office.Higgins was most recently senior vice president at Triland USA in New York where he worked closely with the CEO to develop marketing strategies relating to new product launches, re-branding and client development. Previously, he was Vice President of Client Development and Relationship Management at DPM Bank of NY Mellon in New York where he was responsible for implementing strategic marketing programs.
Martin Currie Investment Management has announced the expansion of its global equities team with two senior appointments. Christine Montgomery and Neil Robson are to join Martin Currie’s global equities team by the end of the year. Both bring with them extensive global equities experience with clients around the world. Within the team and working alongside James Fairweather, CIO and head of global equities, Montgomery will have responsibility for EAFE and ACWI ex US mandates. Robson will work with Fairweather and the team to manage Martin Currie’s Global strategies. Montgomery has 20 years’ experience of global equity markets. She joins Martin Currie from Edinburgh Partners, where she was an investment partner, responsible for managing segregated institutional accounts totaling $742 million. Before this, she was global equities fund manager at Franklin Templeton Investments, where she managed over $3 billion of segregated institutional portfolios. Montgomery started her career at Aegon Asset Management. Robson has 23 years of experience in global equity markets and joins Martin Currie from Pioneer Investments where he was head of global equities. At Pioneer, he was responsible for the four equity teams run from the Dublin office with US$17.7 billion assets under management. Before this, Robson was global equities fund manager at Baring Asset Management.
State Street Global Markets has announced that it has appointed Kevin O’Neill and Samina Vernon to its transition management team in London. They will report to Rick Boomgaardt, head of State Street’s transition management desk for Europe. O’Neill has more than 11 years of industry experience and has been responsible for managing transitions for customers across Europe and the United States. Prior to State Street, he was a senior transition manager at Nomura International and Lehman Brothers for their London and New York teams with responsibility for managing customer relationships in both global fixed income and equity transitions. With more than a decade of transition management experience, Vernon has extensive expertise in managing multi-asset class transitions. Before State Street, she held positions as senior transition manager and transition analyst at Barclays Global Investors and the TRIM team at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, now BlackRock..
BNY Mellon announced that Brian Ruane has been appointed to the new position of Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Investment Services. Ruane will report to Art Certosimo, senior executive vice president and head of Broker-Dealer/Alternative Investment Services at BNY Mellon. He will continue to be based in New York City. Ruane, who joined BNY Mellon in 1993, was most recently executive vice president and head of global client management North America. For the five years prior, he was head of financial institutions, overseeing the firm’s relationships with banks, broker-dealers and hedge funds. In his new role he will focus on expanding AIS’ global client relationships and leveraging the array of fund administration products and services the group provides to hedge fund, fund of hedge fund, private equity and real estate clients worldwide. “Brian’s experience and leadership will help us continue to grow, build on our strengths, and set new standards for serving clients during this transformational time in the industry,” said Certosimo.
Newscape Capital Group has continued its expansion with the appointment of another ex-Aberdeen Asset Management fixed income investment specialist. Leonardo Da Costa joins Newscape’s core investment team in London as a Portfolio Manager where he will work alongside Chief Investment Officer Derek Fulton, whom he worked with previously at Aberdeen. In this role he will conduct macro-economic analysis as well as producing interest rate and yield curve views with specific responsibility for local currency emerging market debt investments. Da Costa will also contribute to the asset allocation process for Newscape’s discretionary fund management service. He joins from Hydra Capital Management where he was a portfolio manager on the firm’s long only, long/short, and arbitrage emerging market fixed income strategies. Prior to Hydra, Da Costa worked for Aberdeen Asset Management’s Emerging Market Debt team.
Nemesis Asset Management has appointed Robert Sargent as the Head of Asset Management in the UK. He will report to CEO Pier-Alberto Furno. Sargent was formerly the CEO and Business Head of Lehman Brothers Asset Management (Europe, Middle East & Africa), where he worked for four years until 2008. Before joining Lehman Brothers, Sargent worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management for 18 years. Most recently, he was Head of Asset Management at Gulf International Bank.
Tradar has announced the appointment of Arti Hatzirodos as managing director of its Asian business. She will be based at Tradar’s Hong Kong offices. Before joining Tradar, Hatzirodos was employed as the chief financial officer of an event-driven hedge fund based in London, Singapore and Sydney. Hatzirodos has extensive experience of hedge funds’ operational requirements, having managed a London-based start-up fund and acted as its chief operating officer. In addition, she has held posts as an operations manager and a fund accountant. Prior to entering the alternative investment management industry, Hatzirodos, a qualified chartered accountant, worked for accountancy practices in Australia and the UK. Edwin Robertson, Chairman, Tradar, commented: “We are delighted by Arti’s decision to join Tradar. Arti has worked with hedge funds in London, Australia and Singapore and so has an unrivalled understanding of funds’ business and operational requirements. Her experience in the Asia Pacific region also gives her a particularly valuable insight into the challenges faced by our Asian customers. As a result, she is uniquely well qualified to develop Tradar’s growing Asian client base.”
FinLab SA has announced the appointment of Stephan Sanner as Sales Director for the UK and Spain. Poised to build upon a strong European presence, FinLab will focus Sanner’s efforts on hedge funds, fund of funds, family offices, pension funds, banks and insurance companies throughout the UK and Spain. Additionally, Sanner will forge relationships with consultants and professional organisations servicing the hedge fund and traditional investment arenas. “We are delighted to welcome Stephan to the FinLab team,” states Denis de Pentheny O’Kelly, FinLab’s CEO. “His extensive background in penetrating our target markets and his in-depth understanding of the world in which our clients operate will contribute greatly to FinLab’s continued growth and base of truly satisfied and loyal customers”. Sanner brings over 15 years of direct sales experience to FinLab including successful assignments with Bloomberg LP, Pertrac Financial Services and Riskdata.
Liquidnet has announced that John Barker, Managing Director of Liquidnet Europe, has officially been appointed to the new position of Head of International. As Head of International, Barker will be in charge of all regions outside of the United States. The heads of Liquidnet’s regional operations in Asia Pacific and Canada will report to John, who will in turn report to Liquidnet founder and CEO Seth Merrin. Barker also remains as Managing Director of Liquidnet in Europe. Commenting on the appointment, Liquidnet CEO Seth Merrin said, “Our international growth this year has been very impressive, and I remain confident in John’s ability to continue to build on our success in these markets. We are fortunate to have John at the helm of our international business at this time of unprecedented opportunity in our European and Asia-Pacific markets.” Prior to joining Liquidnet in June 2001, Barker was Head of Equity Operations at Tokyo-Mitsubishi International, based in London, and Head of Trade Support for Deutsche Bank, also based in London. From 1988 to 1998, Barker was Director of Operations at Instinet.
Royal Bank of Canada has announced that John Taft, head of the US division of RBC Wealth Management, has been named chair-elect of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association for 2010. Taft will continue to lead RBC’s US wealth management business while assuming this senior role with SIFMA. For the past year, Taft has been the chair of SIFMA’s Private Client Group Steering Committee where he has shown leadership in advocating reform of the US financial regulatory system, playing a key role in lobbying for a new harmonised federal fiduciary standard of care, expertise and advice for US broker-dealers and investment advisors. Taft recently testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services on behalf of SIFMA about the importance of creating a new, federal fiduciary standard for broker-dealers and investment advisers who provide personalised investment advice to individual investors. The proposed uniform set of federal fiduciary regulatory standards is designed to strengthen safeguards for investors and preserve investor choice.
DUET Group has announced the appointment of Eric De Candia as CEO of DUET Alternative Investments, the fund of hedge fund platform of DUET Group. De Candia will be responsible for the running and development of DUET’s Fund of Hedge Fund platform. In addition, DUET promotes Karim Khimji to be Chief Investment Officer for Europe and Douglas Morse to be Chief Investment Officer for the US for DUET’s Fund of Hedge Funds business. Both Khimji and Morse will be reporting to Eric De Candia. Prior to joining DUET Group, De Candia was the Co-Founder, President and a Principal of AltEdge Capital Management Ltd, where he was also a member of the Investment Committee and Head of Business Development. From 1999 to 2003 he was the Chairman and Principal of Intosoft S.A. Between 1990 and 1999, he worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as Managing Director and a Member of the Emerging Markets Committee and Head of the European Emerging Markets Group and at Credit Suisse Financial Products as a Member of the Executive Board and Head of the Continental European Derivatives Group. Prior to this he worked at Banca Internazionale Lombarda and at Banca Commerciale Italiana at various trading and investment banking roles.
Gartmore has announced the appointment of Jan de Bruijn as Head of Asian Equities. He will join Gartmore’s Global Emerging Markets Team and report to Chris Palmer, Gartmore’s Head of Global Emerging Markets. It is anticipated he will join in early 2010. He has 17 years’ investment industry experience, and has spent the last three years at Threadneedle Asset Management managing Asian Equity long-only, institutional and hedge fund strategies. At Gartmore, de Bruin will assume management of the Gartmore Pacific Opportunities Fund and Gartmore SICAV Asia Pacific Fund. Gartmore has also announced the appointment of Brian Mitchell as Head of Dealing. He will report to Dominic Rossi, Gartmore’s Chief Investment Officer, and it is anticipated he will join mid January 2010. Mitchell has over 16 years’ investment industry experience, most recently at Barings Asset Management, where he was Head of Dealing for the last 11 years. At Gartmore he will be responsible for overseeing all dealing activities including equities, derivatives, fixed income and FX in London, Tokyo and Boston.
Prologue Capital, LLP has announced that Devin Graham, 36, has joined the firm as Chief Risk Officer. He is based at the company’s headquarters in London and reports to David Lofthouse, Prologue’s CEO. Graham will oversee market, liquidity and counterparty risk, policy development and compliance for Prologue’s funds. “We are delighted to have Devin on board and his expertise will add a vital new layer to our investment processes,” said Lofthouse. Graham has more than 13 years of experience in trading, and risk and business management. He was most recently Global Head of FX Prime Brokerage for UBS where he was responsible for risk management, IT Provision, operations and marketing. Prior to that, he was an FX derivatives trader and risk management adviser at Swiss Bank O’Connor.
