Passive management giant Vanguard has announced the death of its European institutional sales chief, Simon Vanstone. He was 53.
“It is with great sadness that Simon Vanstone, head of Vanguard’s European institutional business, tragically passed away this morning,” said Tom Rampulla, managing director of Vanguard Europe in a statement last night. “Our sympathies go out to Simon’s family at this very difficult time.”
Vanstone joined the US-based manager in February 2012. He had worked in asset management for more than 20 years, most notably as one of the figureheads of Axa Rosenberg, a quant-based firm. Vanstone fought to preserve the company’s business as it was revealed to have succumbed to a coding anomaly in 2009.
He was one of the most recognisable and distinguished characters in European asset management.
“Simon made a big difference to our efforts here in Europe and on the lives of the crew,” said Rampulla. “We will miss him.”
Vanguard made no further comment on the circumstances of Vanstone’s death. He is survived by his wife and three children.