02/09/2010 Author: Shannon Hawthorne

F&C makes Executive Committee appointments

F&C Asset Management has appointed two new figures to its executive committee following the completion of its acquisition of fund of hedge funds firm Thames River.

The London Stock Exchange listed asset management firm has appointed both Charlie Porter, founder and chief executive of Thames River, and chief operating officer Jeremy Charles to the Committee, with the former given overall responsibility for the F&C group's retail and wholesale fund business, while the latter is charged with improving the flexibility of the enlarged group's business model.

"Enhancing our distribution is key priority and I am delighted that Charlie will now lead retail and wholesale distribution across the group," said Alain Grisay, chief executive of F&C. "Furthermore, the acquisition provides us with an opportunity to review functions across the business to ensure we maximise efficiency and create flexibility in our cost base. Jeremy brings significant experience in this area and I am pleased to welcome him to the Executive Committee."

"This is an important day and, I believe, the start of something special," added Porter. "The combination of F&C and Thames River creates one of the most dynamic asset managers in Europe with a product range covering core and specialist funds, long-only and absolute return strategies and which services institutional, wholesale and retail clients."