Gam Investments has hired a head of UK wholesale distribution from Axa Investment Managers.
Rob Bailey (pictured) joins the firm on 12 October after 13 years at Axa IM where he was head of UK wholesale distribution.
He replaces Douglas Branson who Portfolio Adviser revealed in July had left the firm to join long-only and alternatives boutique Algebris Investments.
Bailey, who has more than 27 years’ experience, has been hired to lead Gam’s UK distribution strategy for financial advisers, wealth managers, discretionary fund managers, multi-managers, platforms and private banks.
At Axa IM he led and set the strategic direction of the UK wholesale team and before that he was a sales director at Framlington Group. He has also held senior sales roles at Insight Investment and Kleinwort Benson.
Bailey will report to Jeremy Roberts, who joined Gam in July from Blackrock as global head of distribution. Roberts replaced Tim Rainsford who has since resurfaced at Generali Investment Partners as global head of sales.
Roberts said: “Rob is well-known in the industry as a dynamic and energetic figure with a strong record of success, as well as being a very good leader.
“Rob will be an important addition to the team as we harness these strengths to provide the investment leadership, innovation and sustainable thinking needed to protect our clients’ financial future.”
Bailey said: “Gam has a very strong and distinctive offering across asset classes for clients. I am looking forward to joining the firm and to contributing to the future growth of Gam’s UK wholesale business.”
In early April Gam announced plans to reduce its headcount to 680 full-time employees by the end of the year, down from 817 at the end of 2019. The firm had already cut 10% of its workforce in 2019.
