Natixis Investment Managers has launched a spin-off business – Thematics Asset Management – to sit alongside the group’s affiliate businesses, operating an integrated ESG policy throughout its investment process.
The new unit will be led by Karen Kharmandarian who takes the position of chairman and chief investment officer. Thematics will specialise in global thematic strategies such as water, safety, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Kharmandarian worked at Pictet Asset Management for much of his career, working at the company’s Geneva offices. He has 25 years of industry experience, both on the sell-side and on the buy-side, including 12 years managing global thematic equity funds.
Thematics Asset Management’s investment team will feature Arnaud Bisschop, Frédéric Dupraz and Nolan Hoffmeyer, who joined Natixis in 2018 and Simon Gottelier who will work as a senior portfolio manager on the water strategy.
Gottelier previously worked at Impax Asset Management and BNP Paribas Investment Partners, managing water strategies. He also worked at Veolia Water UK.
Bisschop, meanwhile, will co-manage the Thematics Water strategy, while Dupraz will manage the Thematics Safety strategy. Kharmandarian will co-manage the artificial intelligence and robotics strategy in addition to his role as chairman and CIO of the company.
“The long-term structural changes underway across all sectors of the global economy pose unique challenges for our clients as for us,” Natixis CEO François Riahi, said in a statement.
“The launch of Thematics Asset Management, as part of our multi-affiliate asset management model exemplifies Natixis’ response turning a long-term trend from a challenge into an opportunity.”
