AXA IM reveals plans to create a global alternative investment platform
AXA Investment Managers has unveiled plans to combine its €87bn real assets business, its €48bn structured finance platform and its hedge fund business, Chorus, into one business unit – to be known as AXA IM Alts.
The unit will be led by Isabelle Scemama, who would also remain chief executive of AXA IM – Real Assets.
She will be assisted by Deborah Shire, who will become deputy head of AXA IM Alts, responsible for corporate development, while also retaining her current role of global head of structured finance. She will also join the AXA IM management board.
AXA Investment Managers has unveiled plans to combine its €87bn real assets business, its €48bn structured finance platform and its hedge fund business, Chorus, into one business unit – to be known as AXA IM Alts.
The unit will be led by Isabelle Scemama, who would also remain chief executive of AXA IM – Real Assets.
She will be assisted by Deborah Shire, who will become deputy head of AXA IM Alts, responsible for corporate development, while also retaining her current role of global head of structured finance. She will also join the AXA IM management board.
In addition, Florence Dard, global head of business development at AXA IM – Real Assets, will see her role extended to global head of client group, Alts.
Under her, the firm’s sales and client services function will comprise the current real assets sales force and part of the existing AXA IM institutional sales teams.
The creating of the new business unit is part of the company’s plans to restructure its business into two key divisions.
The other business unit will be known as AXA IM Core, under which Axa IM will bring together its fixed income, excluding Real Assets debt, Framlington Equities, Rosenberg Equities and multi-asset investment platforms, under the leadership of Hans Stoter, who will become global head of AXA IM Core. The unit will have a total of €536bn of AUM.
Gérald Harlin, executive chairman of AXA IM, said: “We strongly believe in leveraging both traditional and alternative asset classes to provide investors with responses to the current hunt for yield.
“We want our organisation to reflect this belief, and that is why we aim to implement a simplified structure comprised of two key strategic business units. With more focus and proximity to our clients, we will become even more relevant to their evolving needs while accelerating the profitable growth of our business.”
Scemama added: “Our business growth in recent years has been driven by our team’s ability to create the right products and to source and execute the right deals for our clients, while at the same time continually demonstrating our ability to transact through a range of complexities and risk profiles as well as via multiple entry points and with scale.
“The creation of AXA IM Alts would allow us to build on this momentum and enhance our offering to clients, while at the same time maintain continuity in the performance and service we provide to them.
“For me personally, it is a huge honour to have been chosen to lead this significant new business and the hugely talented people it brings together, creating a true global leader in alternative investments.”
Axa IM plans to implement the changes in Q2 this year, following a consultation period with employee representatives.
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