Specialist asset manager Unigestion has appointed its head of private equity to succeed Fiona Frick as chief executive, after her decision to step down.
Christophe de Dardel will take over as CEO, effective 1 January 2023, having worked for Unigestion as head of private equity for 22 years.
Under his leadership, de Dardel has grown private equity assets under management to $11 billion, making it the company’s largest investment line, and also oversaw the integration of Akina into Unigestion’s private equity business in 2017.
He will continue in his role on the private equity investment committee.
“Unigestion is home to many talented people who work incredibly hard to serve our clients and I am excited by the opportunity to work with them to develop our business across its three investment lines – private equity, equities, and multi-asset and wealth management,” he said.
Frick, who has spent 32 years at the asset manager, 12 of those as CEO, will step back to pursue other interests “close to her heart”, namely as a board member and consultant on investment allocation and sustainability issues.
“I am thrilled that Christophe has been appointed as our new CEO. His values, professionalism and vision will make him the best leader for Unigestion’s future; for its clients and employees,” she said.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Bernard Sabrier and Patrick Fenal [deputy chairman]. Their trust, vision and guidance over the many years we have worked together have been second to none.”
Sabrier, who is group chairman of Unigestion, added: “On behalf of all our stakeholders I wish to express my gratitude to Fiona. Her leadership and guidance over the years have been second to none. She led the development of the company’s equity activities, adopting a pioneering approach to managing equities based on the Minimum Variance anomaly.
“Furthermore, she helped us diversify and institutionalise Unigestion, and embrace the complex challenges on sustainability issues.”
Sabrier said: “Christophe has demonstrated unique leadership at Unigestion over many years. We welcome him as our new CEO and have no doubt he will help us all to write a new chapter of Unigestion’s history.”
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