AMP Capital, the Sydney-headquartered international fund manager, is aiming to boost its relationships with UK pension schemes through the appointment of Judy Saunders as an advisor to its UK business.
Saunders was chief investment officer of the West Midlands Pension Fund for more than 10 years, from February 2002 to May 2012. In that role, she advised on investment strategy, asset allocation, risk management and manager selection.
Since departing that position, Saunders has been an independent investment adviser to the London Borough of Newham Pension Fund.
In her new role, Saunders will advise on AMP Capital’s investment strategies and its business development activities within the UK institutional market.
AMP Capital institutional director Louisa Yeoman said the hire “underlines our commitment to the UK institutional market including local government pension schemes, which are a significant focus within our institutional client strategy”.
AMP has begun to enjoy some successes in luring UK pensions to its funds. In 2011, it won an allocation to its European equity infrastructure fund from Merseyside Pension Fund; and, in the same year, a commitment to the AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund from East Riding of Yorkshire Council Pension Fund.
Based in Sydney, AMP Capital operates from offices in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. It manages more than A$131 billion (€92 billion; $121 billion) in funds under management (as at 30 June 2013) and has more than 250 investment professionals.