This week’s overview of people transfers and appointments includes updates from Allianz Global Investors, A&O Shearman, State Street, Titanbay, and other firms.
Allianz Global Investors
Bjoern Jesch, the former global chief investment officer of DWS Group, will join Allianz Global Investors as chief product officer, a newly created position, effective 1 September. He will be based in Frankfurt and report to Allianz GI CEO Tobias Pross, serving on the firm’s executive committee. His appointment follows a turbulent period at DWS.
Jesch will lead the firm’s Product Solutions & Marketing division. He brings more than 30 years of experience in portfolio management, product development, and investment strategy. At DWS, he served as global CIO and CEO of DWS Switzerland, and also held roles as global head of multi-asset and solutions and CIO for the EMEA region.
Jesch was originally brought into DWS in 2020 by then-CEO Asoka Wöhrmann, who stepped down in 2022 after German authorities raided the DWS offices in Frankfurt as part of a greenwashing investigation. Wöhrmann was subsequently cleared of criminal wrongdoing and now leads real estate firm Patrizia. Jesch was promoted to global CIO in September 2022 under Wöhrmann’s successor, Stefan Hoops, but agreed to leave the company in November 2024.
DWS was fined 25 million euros by German prosecutors in April 2025 for misleading marketing around its ESG investing strategy. A parallel investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission resulted in a 19 million dollar settlement in 2023, the largest greenwashing-related fine issued by the SEC to date. DWS has since acknowledged that its earlier ESG marketing had at times been “exuberant” and stated that internal controls have been improved.
Before joining DWS, Jesch held senior investment roles at Credit Suisse, Union Investment, and Deutsche Bank. He began his career at Arthur Andersen.
“I am truly excited,” Jesch commented on the Linkedin announcement by Allianz GI.
A&O Shearman
Kristof Meynaerts and Severina Käppeli are joining A&O Shearman as partners in Luxembourg, strengthening the firm’s European funds and private capital platform. Both join from Clifford Chance.
Meynaerts will lead the Luxembourg funds and asset management practice. He brings 17 years of experience advising on the structuring and operation of regulated and unregulated funds, with a focus on real estate and private capital. Käppeli has over 12 years of experience across asset classes including private equity, real estate, and private debt, with particular expertise in advising institutional investors.
Managing partner Patrick Mischo said the appointments support the firm’s strategy to grow its private capital offering through a strengthened presence in Luxembourg.
State Street
Marcel Danen has joined State Street Investment Management, where he will lead Dutch intermediary client coverage. He announced the move on Linkedin.
Danen brings experience in distribution and client relations, and joins one of the world’s largest asset managers, known for its pioneering role in index strategies and exchange-traded funds.
John F. Woods has officially joined State Street Corporation as chief financial officer, effective late August. He succeeds Mark Keating, who served as interim CFO since February and now resumes his position as CFO for State Street’s Investment Services division.
Woods brings more than 38 years of experience in financial leadership roles across major financial institutions. He most recently served as vice chair and CFO of Citizens Financial Group, overseeing functions including financial planning, strategy, investor relations, and corporate development. Earlier in his career, he held CFO roles at MUFG Americas, JPMorgan Chase, and began as a partner at Arthur Andersen in financial and risk consulting.
Titanbay
Timo Paul has been appointed head of Switzerland at Titanbay, the private markets infrastructure provider announced. He joins the firm’s wealth solutions team to support its local growth through partnerships with private banks and wealth managers.
Paul brings over 20 years of experience from UBS and Natixis Investment Managers. According to co-CEO Michael Gruener, his knowledge of the Swiss market and ability to align client needs with investment solutions will support Titanbay’s next phase of growth across Europe.
Noble Investment Group
Marc Dober has joined Atlanta-based alternative investment manager Noble Investment Group as senior director of asset management. He will oversee portfolio performance with a focus on revenue growth, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.
Dober brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality and real estate, having held leadership roles at Cerberus Capital Management, Lightstone, RLJ Lodging Trust, and Goldman Sachs’ CPG platform. He holds degrees from the College of Charleston and Cornell University.
Microsoft
Pierre-Adrien Grange has been appointed head of Microsoft Luxembourg, succeeding Sébastien Respaut, the company announced.
Grange joined Microsoft in December 2021 and has lived in Luxembourg for 15 years. He previously held roles at Orange and Oracle, gaining experience across the local tech and enterprise sector.
Select HR
Helena Delaleux has joined Select HR Luxembourg as a senior recruitment consultant, with a focus on financial services. She brings over 7 years of experience in recruitment across banking, asset management, and fintech. Delaleux holds a master’s degree in human resources from Luxembourg and a bachelor’s in communication from the University of Lorraine.
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