Retirement Industry People Moves

Peggy McDermott has joined Transamerica as vice president and business development manager for retirement plan consultants. She will focus on large and mega retirement plan markets and be responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with institutional consultants serving corporate, not-for-profit and defined benefit (DB) retirement plans

Standard Life Investments has expanded its North American client relations team with the addition of Larry Carlson who will serve as director of Strategic Relationships, a newly-created role in which he will focus on strategic partnerships. The firm’s capabilities span equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, multi-asset solutions and absolute-return strategies.

He joins the firm from State Street Global Advisors, where he held the role of senior managing director, team leader. With more than 35 years of industry experience, he has also worked for Putnam Investments and Fleet Financial Group.

“Larry’s wealth of relationship-building experience will prove an important addition to our team in North America,” says Jack Boyce, managing director, head of North American Distribution. “In charge of strengthening our client service model, Larry is well-suited to further build our Strategic Relationship capabilities, as we seek to enhance existing and develop new and enduring relationships.”

NEXT: OppenheimerFunds Expands Beta Solutions Team

 

Global asset manager OppenheimerFunds, has added David Mazza to its Beta Solutions Leadership Team as head of Beta Solutions Investment Marketing and ETF Specialists. He will be tasked with driving strategic and sustainable growth initiatives for the firm with product and market insights to provide actionable solutions for clients.

Mazza joins the firm from State Street Global Advisors where he served as head of ETF and mutual fund research. He spent 12 years with the firm assuming various management roles. He also developed thought leadership and research that expanded SSGA’s ETF business.

OppenheimerFunds has also hired new ETF specialists including Alex Depetris, chief operating officer of Beta Solutions, and Mo Haghbin, head of product, Beta Solutions. They joined Michael Eschmann, OppenheimerFunds’ Beta Solutions head of Capital Markets; and Vince Lowry, lead portfolio manager of the firm’s Revenue Weighted offerings.

“We’re delighted that Dave joins our industry-leading team,” says Sharon French, head of Beta Solutions. “Dave brings great ETF insights to our expanding business, and that coupled with our Distribution team’s client-centric approach, makes a powerful combination toward serving our end-investors.”

NEXT: Putnam Investments Expands Small-Cap Equity Practice

Putnam Investments announced it will be reshaping its global small-cap equity team and product strategy with an eye on seizing opportunity in active management. In this pursuit, it will add investment expertise and expand its research group in the small-cap equity space.

Value investor David Diamond will become co-portfolio manager of Putnam Small Cap Value Fund, He is the founder of Boston-based High Rock Capital and a senior portfolio manager with The Boston Company. In his new role at Putnam, Diamond will work closely with co-manager Eric Harthun, who will be retiring from Putnam at the end of 2017.        

“The global small cap equity universe offers many interesting opportunities for an active manager who fully utilizes fundamental research,” explains Aaron Cooper, CIO of Equities at Putnam Investments. “We are making a number of moves to further enhance Putnam’s investment capabilities in the small cap equity area, which we think has the potential to be a real bright spot for the firm and our clients.

Bill Wiese will be coming on board the research team as a small cap value analyst. Putnam Capital Opportunities Fund will be managed by members of the small cap research team, led by co-director of Equity Research Kate Lakin. The current portfolio manager, Pam Gao, will be leaving the firm at the end of March 2017. Bill Monroe will assume management of Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund effective March 31, 2017, replacing Pam Gao.

“Putnam has great confidence in the team and approach that has been put in place in the small cap equity area to mine compelling long-term investment opportunities around the globe,” says Cooper.

NEXT: TCW Hires Senior Account Manager in Client Service