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Dani Hristova appointed as Chief Executive Officer 

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”