Lazard Asset Management added an international equity team from SSgA, a move that will allow Lazard to begin offering quantitative equity strategies. According to a memo sent to Lazard employees today, the firm hired Paul Moghtader, former managing director of non-U.S. developed market equities and a senior portfolio manager at SSgA, as a director. Mr. Moghtader was joined by portfolio managers Craig Scholl, Taras Ivanenko, Peter Kashanek and Alex Lai. Chris Pope, president of Boston Private Value Investors and a former director of U.S. institutional sales at SSgA, will also join Lazard as director and leader of client service and business development for the new team, which managed roughly $35 billion at SSgA.
Mr. Moghtader was not immediately available to provide details on the move to Lazard. SSgA spokeswoman Arlene Roberts said responsibilities of the departing employees will be assumed by remaining members of the international equity team, as well as members of the larger active equity organization. Further details were not available by press time.