Burdett (main picture) – widely recognised as an industry luminary – is known for his impact on the investment management landscape, the firm said in a statement.

Burdett, who has been working with “exceptional managers” and partnering with them for decades, was most recently head of Columbia Threadneedle multi-manager solutions, a role he left in April 2024 after 17 years. He has led the multi-manager team since 2007 through the Columbia Threadneedle-acquisition of F&C/BMO Global business, and prior to that Thames River, where he was a founding partner.

“Rob is no stranger to us at Nedgroup Investments, bringing extensive experience and a strong track-record in investment management and a keen eye for identifying exceptional managers.” Tom Caddick, managing director of Nedgroup Investments International said. “His expertise aligns seamlessly with our culture of hiring high-calibre investment-led professionals who embody the principles of value investing, founder’s mentality and long-term partnership.”

Titan Wealth
UK wealth management group has appointed Giles Whittingham as business development director. He will be building relationships with key financial advisor clients in the North of England, expanding the firm’s footprint across the region by delivering tailored solutions across its full suite of investment capabilities, research and consulting services, the firm said in a statement.

Whittingham has 14 years’ sales experience, more than eight of which were spent at prominent investment management firms. He is joining from Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) where, as a senior investment sales manager, he was responsible for growing the business’s model portfolio services proposition among financial advisors nationally. Prior to that, he managed key clients across the Southwest of England, focusing on the distribution of LGIM’s active fixed income and multi-asset strategies and thematic ETFs and index funds.

Whittingham was previously a client executive at GAM Investments where he supported the sales of active fixed income, equity and multi-asset funds among advisors throughout the UK, Dubai and South Africa. He started his career at a financial publishing firm where he was latterly the head of sales.

“Our business model is one of forging true partnerships with advisors and the provision of the highest levels of client service, empowering them to focus on building their own business,” Mark Livesey, group sales director at Titan Wealth, said. “With his excellent track record in both distribution and in managing key client relationships, Giles is a valued addition to our team.”

JTC
Global professional services business has announced that May Hong Mei Knight (picture below) will be joining the board as an independent non-executive director. The London-based appointment will take effect from 5 December 2024.

Knight’s career spans more than three decades in financial services, including banking, insurance, and asset management. She serves as an independent NED and chair of the board risk committee at HSBC's Global Insurance business. In addition to her role as an independent NED, Knight will be appointed as chair of the governance and risk committee.

"Her considerable experience in governance and risk management will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our operations and pursue our long-term goals. May's track record of developing risk frameworks makes her an outstanding addition to our board," Nigel Le Quesne, CEO of JTC Group, said.

JTC also said that this appointment reflects the board’s commitment to supporting the recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and the Parker Review. In addition to Knight’s forthcoming appointment, the board expects to announce the appointment of another independent non-executive director in early 2025.

Attivo
UK-based , a chartered independent, lifestyle financial planning business, has appointed Jo French as CEO. She will be based in the head office in Cheltenham, where she will lead operational improvements, manage the investment operations team and take responsibility for Attivo’s investment platform strategy.

French has more than 25 years of global business experience, serving in key leadership positions, firstly as chief operating officer at Benchmark Capital. Before that she was the business transformation director at Schroders, responsible for the Complex Client and Commercial Portfolio overseeing M&A integrations, joint ventures, and OCIO business onboardings. Her previous experience also includes a range of technical and transformational leadership roles: MD at specialist SIPP firm Pointon York; MD for operations and service recovery at Embark Group; and six years with NFU Mutual Insurance.

Stephen Harper will continue as Attivo’s chairman leading the firm’s business strategy.