This week’s overview of transfers and appointments in the financial sector in and outside Luxembourg includes updates from Crédit Mutuel Asset Management, the European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma), M&G, Schroders, Carmignac and Vistra.
Bertille Knuckey
Bertille Knuckey (photo) has been appointed equity fund manager for Europe at Crédit Mutuel Asset Management, effective September 5. She will join the European equity team led by Caroline Lamy, director of equities, focusing on managing thematic portfolios and specialising in sectors such as energy, renewables, and utilities.
Knuckey brings 14 years of investment experience, having started her career in 2010 at F&C Asset Management in the Governance & Sustainable Investment division. She later worked at La Financière de l’Echiquier and joined Sycomore Asset Management in 2015 as a portfolio manager and head of sustainable and responsible investment.
She has also been active in sustainable finance, serving on the Climate and Sustainable Finance Commission of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers since 2019 and as vice president of the French Sustainable Investment Forum from 2019 to 2024. Knuckey holds a Master of Science in international political economy from LSE, a Master’s in environment and sustainable development from Sciences Po Paris, and a BA in European studies from King’s College London.
Marc Andries
Marc Andries has been appointed to lead the new joint directorate for the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, Eiopa, and Esma) overseeing critical third-party providers under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (Dora). Andries will begin his role as director for Dora joint oversight on 1 October 2024.
In this position, Andries will be responsible for establishing and managing an oversight framework for critical ICT third-party service providers (CTPPs) across Europe, aimed at ensuring the stability and smooth operation of the EU financial sector.
With over thirty years of experience in IT, Andries brings a background in ICT project management, oversight, and supervision. Before this appointment, he served as Chief Inspector at Banque de France and headed the IT Inspection Unit at the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR).
Nick Montgomery and Roger Hennig
Nick Montgomery has been promoted to global head of real estate at Schroders Capital, pending regulatory approval. Currently head of UK real estate, Montgomery will succeed Sophie Van Oosterom and oversee the firm’s 27.9 billion dollar in real estate assets across 16 markets. With 12 years at Schroders, he has led the UK business’s growth, including new mandate wins and the launch of the Real Estate Impact Fund.
Roger Hennig has been named head of continental Europe, based in Zurich, after leading Schroders Capital’s real estate team in Switzerland. Kieran Farrelly will step into the role of global chief investment officer for real estate, while James Macnamara will take on global responsibility for value-add and alternatives investments.
Schroders has also announced the appointment of two executive directors to its board, effective 1 January 2025, pending regulatory approval. Meagen Burnett will take on the role of chief financial officer (CFO), succeeding Richard Oldfield, who was recently appointed group chief executive.
Johanna Kyrklund will join the board as group chief investment officer (CIO), highlighting the central role of investment expertise and performance in the company’s strategy and client offerings.
Six new directors at Carmignac
Paolo Federici, who served as market head for Global Wealth Management at UBS in Italy until February 2024 and was chairman of UBS Fiduciaria until April 2024, joins the board. His previous experience includes 13 years at Fidelity International, where he held roles such as head of Northern Europe, head of Southern Europe & Latin America, and global head of product.
Alexander Leisten is also joining the board as a non-executive director. He previously led Fidelity International’s German business from 2014 to 2024 and has held managing director roles at Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management and Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie.
Habib Achkar brings over 30 years of experience from Morgan Stanley, where he held positions including chief executive of the Saudi Arabian and Middle East and North African businesses. He now advises senior managers in the asset management industry and other financial institutions.
From Carmignac’s internal ranks, Pascale Guillier joins the board after a long career with the company. She previously served as general secretary until 2022, following 15 years as a lawyer at the Paris Bar and a stint as deputy editor-in-chief at Agefi Actifs.
Rose Ouahba, managing director at Carmignac, will now serve on the board. She joined Carmignac in 2007 as a fund manager and led the fixed income team until 2023. Her earlier career included roles at Ecureuil Gestion and IXIS Asset Management.
Christophe Peronin, another Carmignac managing director, will also join the board. He has been with the company since 2010, having previously held senior positions at AXA Investment Managers. At Carmignac, he has served as chief operating officer, overseeing support and control functions.
Vistra boosts North America funds team
Vistra has expanded its North America Funds team with five key appointments: Frank Anduiza as managing director, and Christopher Murphy, Sean Ward, Matt Podolsky, and Tony Olivo as enterprise account managers.
Frank Anduiza, based in New York, will lead the team, ensuring that US clients receive high-quality service and solutions to support their growth. He brings experience from global investment banks such as Citi, BNY Mellon, and Ultimus LeverPoint Private Fund Solutions, where he focused on alternative investments.
Christopher Murphy and Sean Ward join as commercial sales directors. Murphy will drive growth in the alternative investment and open-ended hedge fund sector, leveraging his experience from SS&C, Maitland, Gen II, and STP. Ward will focus on private equity, private debt, venture capital, and real estate, bringing expertise from roles at MUFG, SS&C, and Bloomberg.
Matt Podolsky and Tony Olivo, both joining from the recently acquired Phoenix American Fund Administration and Transfer Agency, will serve as vice presidents of sales. Podolsky will focus on expanding Vistra’s presence in the US retail funds market, while Olivo will promote comprehensive fund solutions and drive innovation in fund performance reporting using the proprietary STAR-XMS platform.
Edward Boots
Edward Boots has been appointed to M&G’s real estate finance team as part of the company’s expansion of its origination capabilities in response to growing client demand for European real estate credit. Based in Amsterdam, Boots will be responsible for sourcing and executing new lending opportunities across continental Europe, working alongside M&G’s existing origination team and its network of investment professionals in major cities such as Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Paris, and Stockholm. He will report to Dan Riches, head of real estate finance at M&G.
Boots brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as head of real estate finance, the Netherlands, at HSBC Continental Europe, where he managed a significant real estate loan portfolio. His prior roles include co-head of real estate clients and vice president of origination for commercial real estate at Deutsche Bank AG.
Investment Officer publishes an overview of key appointments in the financial sector in and around Luxembourg every week. Send your announcements via email to editor@investmentofficer.lu if you want them to be included.