Paul Trickett, senior investment consultant at Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting in Leeds, England, will replace Kevin Carter as European head of investment consulting when Mr. Carter retires later this year, said spokesman Paul Deane-Williams. Nick Watts, senior investment consultant and Mr. Carter's predecessor, who had been on a four-month sabbatical that ended January 2006, also announced he will retire later this year. Messrs. Carter and Watts will spend "their remaining time at Watson Wyatt transitioning client responsibilities and ensuring the seamless handover of their management and governance roles," according to a news release.
Mercer Borden and Brian Moss joined Optima Fund Group, a hedge funds of funds firm, as part of the expansion of the firm's U.S. institutional marketing team, said John Langler, managing director. Mr. Borden is managing director and head of consultant relations, and Mr. Moss is director of U.S. institutional sales. Mr. Borden was director of marketing, with responsibility for U.S. institutional sales and consultant relations for K2 Advisors. David Saunders, K2's CEO and founding partner, said the sales and marketing team is being restructured and the firm will soon start recruiting to replace Mr. Borden and to add more marketing personnel. Mr. Moss was equity partner at RiskMetrics Group and responsible for sales to hedge funds in the New York region. He left in February and his duties were assumed by Ben Maldenado, who was responsible for sales of the firm's hedge fund platform, said John Roderick, a RiskMetrics spokesman.
Stephen Timms, Britain's minister of state for pensions reform in the Department for Work and Pensions, was promoted to chief secretary to the treasury in Prime Minister Tony Blair's cabinet reshuffle, announced today by Mr. Blair's office. Mr. Timms replaces Des Brown. Mr. Timms will report to Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. A replacement has not been announced as of press time.
Mark Taylor was promoted to executive vice president, director of real estate, at McMorgan & Co., an affiliate of New York Life Investment Management, confirmed spokesman Neal McDonough. Mr. Taylor replaces David Howard; details on Mr. Howard's departure were not available, Mr. McDonough said. Mr. Taylor was executive vice president of sales and marketing. McMorgan officials are not planning to replace Mr. Taylor, Mr. McDonough said.
Richard Berger joined hedge fund-of-funds manager Pioneer Alternative Investments as head of research and due diligence. Mr. Berger replaces Alison Healy, who left last year. No further information was available about Ms. Healy. Mr. Berger was head of research at hedge fund and fund-of-funds manager Olympia Capital Management. Information on his replacement wasn't available at press time.
James Cahn was named senior vice president and director of institutional services at Marshall & Ilsley Trust, according to a news release. Mr. Cahn will work in the wealth management division and will oversee the unit's institutional retirement services and products. Mr. Cahn was senior vice president and director of retirement services at Smith Barney. Hank Green, spokesman for Smith Barney, said the firm does not comment on employee departures.
Tom Pittman was named chief marketing officer at defined contribution plan provider The Newport Group, said Lizz Holmes, spokeswoman. He will oversee sales of qualified retirement and deferred compensation plans. It is a new position. Mr. Pittman was vice president and head of sales at ADP Retirement Services. Debbie Morris, spokeswoman for ADP, did not return calls seeking information about Mr. Pittman's replacement.
