Hymans Robertson made a number of changes to its research team, further integrating its asset class and manager research capabilities, said John Walbaum, partner and head of investment consulting.
As part of the changes, Hymans created a new role, head of investment research, and appointed Mark Baker to the position. Mr. Baker is a partner and advises both trustee and corporate clients on all aspects of their investments. Hymans has reduced Mr. Baker’s commitments in other areas to free up time for his expanded role.
Hymans has been reviewing the integration of its consulting and research functions over the past few months, looking in particular at what the firm researches, and how it is delivered and used by clients and consultants.
“It makes perfect sense to ensure that our research function is structured to focus on delivery of research and materials that fit with our investment approach, while remaining closely aligned with our clients’ needs,” Mr. Walbaum said in an e-mail.
The firm concluded that the further integration of asset class and manager research would provide “greater focus on where we spend our research time and resource,” he said.
A number of changes were made to the research team, Mr. Walbaum said.
Simon Jones was named head of responsible investment, taking over from Clare Gardner, who is now focusing on corporate social responsibility for the firm. Mr. Jones was a senior investment consultant, and he retains those responsibilities.
Alison Trusty, head of hedge funds research, will leave Hymans. Her responsibilities with multiasset and hedge fund strategies will be taken on by John MacDonald, senior research analyst, Mr. Walbaum said.
Colm Harney, equity research analyst, will also leave. Details on his new role elsewhere could not be learned by press time. Mr. Walbaum said Hymans will recruit two new staff members as a result of these departures, to support the existing researchers.
Ms. Trusty will join Aon Hewitt. A spokesman for Aon Hewitt confirmed that Ms. Trusty will join March 21 as liquid alternatives researcher. She will research hedge funds for the consultant and will replace Matt Siddick, who left the team to become head of operational monitoring in the delegated business.
