Assetco has appointed Gary Collins as head of distribution.
He joins from Columbia Threadneedle Investments, running both the Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) and Latin American distribution strategy.
He joined in 2006 as head of UK retail and wholesale, having previously worked at Merrill Lynch Investment Management.
The announcement follows the AssetCo acquiring Saracens Fund Managers for £2.75m last week.
Collins will be tasked with improving Saracen Fund Managers’ distribution strategy to help it grow its client base and expand its product range.
Saracen was founded in the late 1990s and operates three funds on the T Bailey Fund Services platform.
It will continue to operate from Edinburgh under the Saracen brand, with AssetCo directors Martin Gilbert and Peter McKellar joining the board.
Peter McKellar, deputy chairman and chief executive at AssetCo, said: “ Gary is a great addition to the AssetCo team and he will play a key role in developing the overall business - he brings a wealth of experience and expertise, with a track record of working closely with clients and delivering results.”
Collins added: “ AssetCo’s strategy of investing in, and building, asset and wealth management businesses really appeals.
"The structural changes that are occurring, for example in terms of demographics, fee compression and the search for alpha, provide opportunities for agile businesses.”
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