Aberdeen Standard Investments has named Alex Hoctor-Duncan as global head of the business.
Hoctor-Duncan (pictured) will lead the firm’s global asset management distribution to clients and report directly to recently-appointed Standard Life Aberdeen chief executive Stephen Bird.
It follows an announcement last week that Hoctor-Duncan, along with three other senior staff members, had been promoted to the firm’s executive team in a reshuffle, led by Bird, that saw global head of distribution Campbell Fleming exit the business after four years.
Hoctor-Duncan joined ASI in September 2018 as global sales director, responsible for co-ordinating global sales activity. He previously held several senior retail distribution roles at Blackrock.
Bird said: “I am delighted to have Alex join my leadership team. It is important that our clients feel confident in the strength of our partnership and the value we can provide.
“We need to connect more as when we listen intently to our clients and fulfil their needs effectively, quickly and consistently – we will build a sustainable pattern of growth and achieve our purpose of investing for a better future.”
Hoctor-Duncan said: “I am looking forward to working more closely with Stephen, and the rest of the executive leadership team, as I take a razor sharp focus to delivering on our asset management business’ potential for growth.”
The announcement follows the departure of UK equities manager Louise Kernohan who it was announced last month had joined BNY Mellon Investment Management to run two UK equity mandates.
It also follows the closure of the UK Recovery fund after a run of poor performance and its largest investor deciding to redeem their holding.
