(June 5, 2013) — Amundi Asset Management has appointed Mark Miller to head up its UK institutional business, aiCIO has learned.
Miller, who starts his new role on June 10, 2013, previously worked at Blackstone Alternative Asset Management for two years as its head of UK institutional business. He held the same role at Fidelity for almost six years before that.
Amundi’s press team confirmed the appointment, but declined to comment further.
The French fund manager has been busy on the other side of the Atlantic too–Amundi signed off on acquiring US fixed income specialists Smith Breeden Associates earlier this week.
The appeal of the deal? The acquisition provides Amundi with more expertise in US dollar products, strengthens its global fixed income expertise, and will help enhance its know-how in the US.
Upon the closing of this transaction-expected in September–Smith Breeden will be renamed Amundi Smith Breeden and become part of Amundi’s fixed income group.
However, Amundi’s not the only asset manager on the prowl.
Chris Gower, head of European consultant relations at HSBC Asset Management, has left to join fellow asset manager First State as head of EMEA consultant relationships, aiCIO has learnt.
Gower joined HSBC in 2005 from consulting firm LCP and started with the new firm in the last few weeks.
He leaves the multinational bank with $428.8 billion in client assets managed around the world to join a relatively smaller firm.
First State Investments forms part of the asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. In Australia the company operates as Colonial First State Global Asset Management and together the firms manage £95.1 billion in global assets.
First State confirmed the move. No one from HSBC returned requests for comment. Gower was unavailable for comment.
— Charlie Thomas & Elizabeth Pfeuti