Fidelity hires EMEA head from Santander AM
Fidelity International has appointed Samantha Ricciardi as head of EMEA, effective March 2026. She joins from Santander Asset Management, where she served as CEO and led the firm’s transformation into a top-tier European manager. Ricciardi will be based in Madrid and oversee Fidelity’s strategic development and growth across the region. She succeeds Christian Staub, who moves into an advisory role.
La Française names new real estate CEO
Guillaume Allard will become CEO of La Française Real Estate Managers (REM) on 1 January 2026, succeeding the retiring Philippe Depoux. Allard, currently deputy managing director and head of retail funds and finance, joined La Française in 2011 and has held senior roles in fund management. He also joins the executive board of Groupe La Française.
Partners Group restructures executive leadership
Partners Group has reorganized its executive team, effective 1 January 2026. President Juri Jenkner will lead the newly renamed business development unit, formerly client solutions. Ana Campos (HR) and Anette Waygood (compliance/legal) join the executive team. Sarah Brewer and Andreas Knecht step down from the team but remain with the firm in senior roles.
Palana appoints managing director
Regulatory advisory firm Palana has appointed Sandrine Lilliu as managing director. She brings 30 years of asset management experience, with expertise in distribution, AML, and financial crime prevention. Lilliu previously held senior roles at JP Morgan Asset Management and PWC Luxembourg.
Estrada becomes CEO of Schuman Associates
Ruth Estrada Dorronsoro has been named CEO of Brussels-based public affairs firm Schuman Associates. She takes over from founder Gerard McNamara, who becomes founding partner. Estrada has been with the firm for over 20 years and will now lead its next growth phase following its recent merger with Acumen Public Affairs.
Verelst named CIO at URW
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has appointed Belgian executive Kathleen Verelst as chief investment officer and board member, effective 1 January. Verelst joined the real estate firm in 2021 as an advisor after a 22-year career at Morgan Stanley in London, where she was managing director and senior advisor in real estate investment banking and M&A.
Robeco COO Marcel Prins to step down
Robeco has announced that Marcel Prins will step down as chief operating officer on 1 January. He joined the firm in 2022 from APG Asset Management, where he held COO and CDO roles. Earlier, he worked at Fortis and ABN Amro in various management positions.