Manulife Asset Management has laid out plans for its expansion into Europe, launching a range of funds for the institutional and wholesale markets.
The Canadian group, which manages £226bn in assets globally and already has a significant footprint in North America and Asia, announced last week the launch of a Dublin-domiciled UCITS platform and a range of funds for sale in the UK. These include Strategic Fixed Income, Global Equities, Emerging Market Equities, Emerging Market Debt, US Large Cap Core Equity, and Asian Bonds Absolute Return strategies.
The company has built up a team of almost 40 people in London and hopes to reach a headcount of 60 by the end of the year.
Key hires include Chris Fellingham as head of liquid alternative strategies, Martin Powis as head of institutional sales and relationship management, UK & Ireland, Claude Chene as global head of distribution and Kathryn Langridge and Philip Ehrmann as head and senior portfolio manager of global emerging markets, equities, respectively.
Chief executive officer Kai Sotorp (pictured), who was in London to announce the launch, said Europe and the wider EMEA area was a strategically important growth market for Manulife, which intended to invest in the region for the long term.
“We are a growing business with exciting investment capabilities across a broad range of traditional asset classes, multi assets and private markets investments,” he added. “We have been building our European investment teams and client base over the years and we are excited to be able to make further commitments to our clients and this important market.”
Global head of distribution Claude Chene, claimed the company had an exciting array of investment skills to offer institutional and wholesale clients.
He added: “The business recognises that to serve the global investor community, it is critical to have a well-developed and robust European presence to complement its growing North American and Asian businesses. With the resources to continue to make the necessary investments in people and infrastructure and the patience required to build a successful business in Europe, this is a unique opportunity for us.”
