Allianz Global Investors has announced Deborah Zurkow will become global head of investments in January as the firm shakes up its leadership team.
She will replace Andreas Utermann who is stepping down from the role at the end of the year and relinquishing his duties as chief executive at the same time.
Zurkow (pictured above) joined Allianz GI in 2012 to establish its infrastructure debt offering and has overseen growth of the alternatives platform which has more than €80bn under management. She has been a member of the firm’s executive committee since 2016 and is based in the London office.
Utterman, who is also London-based, joined Allianz GI in 2002 before becoming co-head and chief investment officer in 2012 and then CEO in 2016.
He will be replaced by Tobias Pross, currently global head of distribution, who has been with Allianz Group for more than 20 years and is based in the Munich office.
A press release announcing the changes said Pross has been “instrumental in the development of Allianz GI’s client-centric business strategy”. He has been a member of the global executive committee since 2015.
Allianz GI added Utterman will be “available to the leadership of the firm on an advisory basis for the first six months of 2020”.
A spokesperson for Allianz GI told Portfolio Adviser it would be premature to comment on who might take Zurkow and Pross’s current roles.
Allianz board member Jackie Hunt said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Andreas for the passion, care and clear-sightedness he has brought to the development of Allianz GI over many years. He will be missed.
“He hands over the leadership of the firm to individuals who are well placed to make the best of the options available to Allianz GI to continue to serve clients well in a period of change within the industry. I wish Andreas well and look forward to working more closely with Tobias and Deborah from 2020.”
Utermann said: “Leaving Allianz GI will not be easy. Having had the opportunity to work alongside so many talented and engaging people, to develop and lead a strong team and to build a respected global investment business, is a source of great pride.”
