Natixis Global Associates adds key staff internationally

13 Dec 2010
Natixis Global Associates has announced five new staff additions to its global distribution channels, with a focus on strengthening its business in Europe and establishing London as a global hub for key accounts. The additions mark NGA’s continued expansion of its global distribution business begun in 2009 and throughout 2010.

Since 2008, NGA has increased its staff internationally (ex-US) by 20%; it currently has more than 120 staff in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. New offices were opened in Stockholm, Sweden and Taipei, Taiwan in the same time period.

“While other distribution organizations have pulled back, Natixis Global Associates continues to build its global distribution platform. In particular, we are focused on growing our distribution capabilities in Europe and strengthening London as a hub for our global key accounts business. London serves as the major axis for international investment decisions and leading financial research. It simply is the location of choice to leverage partnerships with key global decision makers,” said Hervé Guinamant, president and chief executive officer of NGA International.

Further enhancing accessibility, dialogue and best practice in relationships with global key clients, NGA expanded its global key accounts team with two key appointments in London.

Ed Farrington was appointed Managing Director, Global Key Accounts. Farrington is responsible for driving the global key account approach by leveraging cross-border sales of Luxembourg- and Dublin-domiciled mutual funds to partner firms with global footprint. He recently worked for NGA’s US distribution organization where he previously served as executive vice president and national sales. Farrington has more than 17 years of sales experience with international financial services companies, amongst them Fidelity Investments, Pioneer Investments and PaineWebber.

Nick Hinds joined as Director, Global Key Accounts. Hinds brings over 15 years of international experience in the asset management industry to his global key accounts role. Hinds has worked in both London and Asia for Invesco, Fidelity Investments and Jupiter Investments, focussing on financial institutions and wealth managers.

In addition, NGA added key sales staff in its Frankfurt, Stockholm and Milan offices.
Gerald Saam joined as Sales Director Institutional at NGA Germany. Based in Frankfurt, Saam is responsible for driving institutional sales in the German market. For the past 10 years, he held several wholesale and institutional sales positions at key players in the German market such as Threadneedle and Franklin Templeton.

Lennart Benson was appointed Head of Sales and Country Manager Nordics. Benson is based in Stockholm and has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the Nordic region. He was prior with Asia Growth Investors, Carnegie Asset Management and Merchant Asset Management.

Saam and Benson report to Joerg Knaf, head of Northern Europe, Natixis Global Associates Germany.

Michele Arezzi joined as Director Institutional Sales at NGA Italy. Based in Milan, he focuses on extending NGA’s Italian institutional business. Arezzi has more than 10 years experience in financial services and most recently worked for Barclays Global Investors, London.

Arezzi reports to Antonio Bottillo, managing director, Natixis Global Associates Italy.