Richard Schmidt resigned as lead portfolio manager for JPMorgan Asset Management's global emerging markets strategies, confirmed spokeswoman Jacqueline Meere. Portfolio manager Gregory Mattiko, who has worked on the global emerging markets team for two years, replaced him as the lead portfolio manager, Ms. Meere said. Further details about Mr. Schmidt's departure could not be learned by press time.
Andre du Plessis on Oct. 3 will join Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting in England as a senior investment consultant, said Paul Deane-Williams, senior investment consultant. It is a new position. Mr. du Plessis will report to Kevin Carter, European head of investment consulting. Mr. du Plessis was chief executive of Coronation Fund Managers' institutional funds of hedge funds business in London. Ramona Glass, head of product management and client servicing at Coronation, said Mr. du Plessis was replaced by Charles Barnick. Separately, Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting named Leon Beukes and Luba Nikulina as investment consultants on its manager research team in the United Kingdom, Mr. Deane-Williams said. Mr. Beukes will join the hedge fund research team Oct. 3 and also be involved in quantitative manager research. Ms. Nikulina joined the private equity and hedge fund research teams. Both positions are new, and both will report to Craig Baker, European head of manager research. Mr. Beukes was an investment consultant with Hewitt Associates. A Hewitt spokesman who asked to not be identified could not comment on the status of Mr. Beukes' position. Ms. Nikulina was an associate at Anchorage Capital Partners. Tommy Byrne, managing director at Anchorage, said there are no plans to replace Ms. Nikulina.
Michael Welsh will resign Friday as co-portfolio manager for Oakmark International and Global funds, and will retire from Harris Associates, adviser to the Oakmark funds, in January 2006, according to a news release. David Herro, co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark International Fund, will be portfolio manager of the fund. Robert Taylor will become co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Global Fund, joining co-manager Clyde McGregor. Mr. Taylor was director of international research, according to the release. Members of Harris Associates' international investment team will assume Mr. Welsh's other portfolio management and research responsibilities. Kelly Arnold, Harris spokeswoman, did not return a call by press time seeking comment.
