A team of thematic equity managers has left Pictet Asset Management and joined Natixis Investment Managers’ global equity business.
The managers – who include Arnaud Bisschop, formerly co-manager of Pictet AM’s water strategy – were involved in the management of €21 billion of assets.
Bisschop’s water strategy had €5.2 billion of assets under management (AUM), according to Natixis IM, quoting Bloomberg figures.
The other two managers are Frédéric Dupraz and Nolan Hoffmeyer.
Dupraz was co-manager of Pictet’s security thematic strategy with €4.9 billion of AUM, and Hoffmeyer was the co-manager of Pictet’s digital theme with €3.9 billion of AUM.
Natixis IM said two additional managers would joining in early 2019, though did not specify from which firm.
Natixis IM, which manages €861 billion of assets, indicated it was to offer more thematically edged strategies.
“In addition to Natixis Investment Managers’ existing global equities offering, investors will have access to a wide range of highly active, high conviction global thematic strategies, including water, safety, artificial intelligence and robotics,” the firm said.
Jean Raby, chief executive of Natixis IM, said: “These managers have been pioneers in global thematic investing. Their entrepreneurial mindset and highly active investment approach fit perfectly with our philosophy.”
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