LDI Veteran Departs AXA

(May 23, 2013) – AXA Investment Managers’ first-ever UK head of liability-driven investment (LDI) has Shalin Bhagwan stepped down, aiCIO has learned, roughly a year after the company launched its UK LDI business, 

Bhagwan plans to return home to his family in South Africa, according to a spokesperson at AXA, and will stay in his role until his last day in mid-June.

Before joining AXA, Bhagwan spent five years at Legal and General Investment Management and led its risk management structuring team. He has also done stints at Mercer and Hewitt, before it was purchased by Aon.

Recruitment for a new UK head of LDI is well underway, the AXA spokesperson told aiCIO over email, adding that the firm plans to expand the unit to six people by the end of the year.

“We are continuing to build out the team to support our very healthy pipeline,” the message said. “We will be sad to see him go, but respect his personal motives for making the move and wish him all the best for the future. We are also very pleased with the progress that we made under his leadership and we are continuing to build on that momentum.”

Bhagwan started his career at Sanlam, an insurance and financial services corporation based in Bellville, South Africa. He is an actuary, and holds degrees from the Universities of South Africa and Stellenbosch. 

–Charlie Thomas & Leanna Orr