Category: History

Appointment follows the announcement of new Chairman, Sebastian Stewart and seven new Board members earlier this year

The Independent Investment Management Initiative (“IIMI”), a boutique asset management think tank whose membership accounts for approximately £500 billion in client assets, has appointed Dani Hristova as its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows the engagement of seven new Board members as well as a new Chairman, Sebastian Stewart earlier this year, deepening the value that the IIMI can bring to its membership

In her new position, Hristova will work closely with Stewart and the Board to deliver on the IIMI’s refreshed core aims – which includes promoting the strengths of boutique asset managers and helping to shape the industry’s regulatory environment – as well as facilitating commercial opportunities for its growing membership base.

Hristova joins from Nordea Asset Management, where she was responsible for building the firm’s presence in the UK insurance market. This involved developing Nordea’s entry strategy into the insurance sector, as well as representing Nordea within the insurance market more broadly. She previously held positions at Schroders Investment Management and Legal and General Investment Management.

The IIMI provides an independent, expert voice in the debate over the future of the asset management industry, supporting boutique asset managers amidst a backdrop of increasing consolidation and fast-changing regulations. Together with the Board, Hristova will drive the IIMI towards fulfilling its ambition to shape a regulatory environment that supports boutiques, drive best practice and promote the strengths of specialist asset managers.

Sebastian Stewart, Chairman at the IIMI, commented: “Dani has a deep understanding of the challenges that both asset managers and their clients face as we navigate an evolving and increasingly consolidated industry landscape. Dani’s experience and skillset make her very well-placed to help the IIMI’s members promote the strength of investment specialism and innovation, drive best practice and ultimately provide market-leading investment solutions to investors around the world. On behalf of all our members, I also want to thank Toby Illingworth, who has now stepped down as Executive Director, for his significant contribution to the IIMI over the last 10 years.”

Dani Hristova said: “I am delighted to be joining the IIMI as its new Chief Executive Officer. The asset management industry is facing a multitude of complex challenges with respect to changing regulations in a post-Brexit world – mounting cost pressure, responsible capital allocation and ensuring suitable investment solutions are delivering long-term value to clients, to name a few. Having worked for some of the industry’s financial giants, who leverage scale to help address these challenges, it is imperative that smaller, entrepreneurial firms are well-represented as we jointly navigate these industry challenges and focus on the best outcomes for investors. The IIMI raises the voice of entrepreneurial, specialist investment boutiques that are entirely focused on and aligned with the interests of their clients, and I am excited to play an important role in driving the IIMI and its members forward through the next period of the organisation’s growth”

There Independent Investment Management Initiative (IIMI) has appointed Sebastian Stewart as Chairman. He replaces Nick Mottram who has stepped down after completing his three year term in the role.

Sebastian is Head of Client Services at Somerset Capital Management, the specialist Global Emerging Markets investment management firm founded in 2007.

Sebastian graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 with a First Class degree in Mathematics and Business Studies and he joined Somerset in October of the same year. Sebastian is a CFA charterholder. 

IIMI, the boutique asset management think tank, announces the appointment of Nick Mottram as Chairman, effective 1 December 2019. Nick succeeds Jamie Carter, CEO of Oldfield Partners, who will remain on the board.

Susannah de Jager continues as Deputy Chairperson, and has been joined in the role by Sebastian Stewart, Head of Client Services at Somerset Capital Management.

Nick Mottram is the Chairman and Global & Asian Equities Fund Manager at Dalton Strategic Partnership, having joined the firm in March 2010. He has over 30 years of investment experience, with other senior roles including Founding Partner at Origin Asset Management, Head of Equities at Investec Asset Management and Global Head of Research at Schroder Investment Management. Nick is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in English from the University of Kent.

Sebastian Stewart is a Partner at Somerset Capital and Head of Client Services, having joined the firm in 2012. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first class degree in Mathematics and Business Studies and is a CFA charterholder.

Founded in 2010, IIMI speaks for owner-managed firms concerned with the alignment of interests with clients, and aims to offer an independent, expert voice in the debate over the future of financial regulation and competition.

“Dalton Strategic Partnership has been a member of IIMI for many years now and I have always been impressed by its focus and work. Jamie Carter has left IIMI extremely well placed going forward and I would like to thank him for his leadership.

“I look forward to meeting with the membership and continuing IIMI’s work of promoting the interests of owner-managed firms. In these times of change, it is more important than ever that the boutique asset management industry is given a voice to help shape the debate around the future of financial regulation, as well as advocate the need for a competitive landscape.”

Nick Mottram, newly appointed Chairman of IIMI

“It has been a privilege to serve as IIMI’s Chairman and I would like to thank the rest of the team for their ongoing support during my tenure. I am delighted with the progress we have made, notably the recent launch of IIMI Singapore. Nick has long been a champion of IIMI’s work and I have no doubt that he is the right person to chair the group as it builds on its successes to date.”

Jamie Carter, outgoing Chairman of IIMI 

ENDS

IIMI, an association of leading independent asset management firms, announces the appointment of Jamie Carter as Chairman, succeeding Dominic Johnson, who steps down having completed a full term as Chairman.

Susannah de Jager will assume the role of Deputy Chairman, previously held by Jamie, while Jonathon Read has been appointed into the [newly created] position of Policy Director. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Jamie Carter is the Chief Executive and one of the founding partners of Oldfield Partners (OP), a boutique fund management firm which manages circa $4 billion for endowment funds, pension funds, charities, family offices, and high net worth individuals.

Susannah de Jager is a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer of S. W. Mitchell Capital, a European equities boutique managing $2bn. She joined SWMC in late 2010 and headed up the business development team with particular focus on the US and marketing of the firm more generally until 2014 when she took on the role of COO. Susannah was made a Partner in January 2015.

Jonathon Read is Chairman and Founding Director of Your Credit Union, as well as Advisor to the Board of Civilised Investments Ltd. He is also Founder of Triborough Opportunities, a charity formed to encourage financial literacy and promote sustainable financial inclusion.

Founded in 2010, IIMI speaks for owner-managed firms concerned with the alignment of interests with clients, and aims to offer an independent, expert voice in the debate over the future of financial regulation and competition.

“First as a board member, and more recently as Deputy Chairman, it has been a privilege working alongside Dominic as he has led the NCI. The next few years will be important for the boutique asset management industry and I am looking forward to working alongside Susannah, Jonathon and the rest of the team as we seek to amplify our members’ voices and help shape the debate on financial reform and the positioning of the industry post-Brexit.”

Jamie Carter, newly appointed Chairman of IIMI

“It has been an honour working at the helm of the NCI and I am pleased to be leaving the role in such capable hands. I look forward to continuing my support of the NCI as a member of the board as we continue to advocate the vital role played by boutique asset managers in our economy.”

Dominic Johnson, outgoing Chairman of IIMI

ENDS