Peter Lees, Phil Doel, Luke Newman, Makis Kaketsis and Michael Ulrich were hired as equity managers at F&C Asset Management, said Jason Hollands, an F&C spokesman. The team worked for Deutsche Asset Management's U.K. division, which was acquired by Aberdeen in a deal that closed Sept. 30. Mr. Lees will be head of U.K. equities at F&C, a new position, according to Mr. Hollands; the other four will be portfolio managers. Four U.K. equity fund managers are in the process of leaving F&C, Mr. Hollands said, but he declined to name them. A statement from F&C said the new equity team has an "established presence in the market and a strong track record managing both core and high-alpha portfolios" and called the hirings "a major coup for F&C." Lucy Davidson, a DeAM spokeswoman, said the firm had no comment and referred questions to Aberdeen. Aberdeen officials had no comment.
Phillipe Ballet was named by MSCI Barra as managing director and head of its business in Japan, according to a spokesman. Mr. Ballet replaces Olivier D'Assier, who is now risk analytics strategist for Asia, a new position. Mr. Ballet was Japan country head with Credit Suisse Asset Management, according to CSAM spokeswoman Suzanne Fleming. She declined to provide information about a replacement.
