Emerging Global Advisors (EGA), the asset manager to the EGShares exchange-traded fund offering, has appointed Marc Zeitoun as chief product and marketing officer.
Nicholas Smithie is also joining the firm as chief investment strategist, effective 23 September 2013.
“Nick and Marc have strong reputations as leaders and creative thinkers in the asset management industry,” says Marten Hoekstra (pictured), chief executive of EGA. “Their extensive experience with global institutions and wealth managers enhances our ability to address investor demand for developing market investment solutions.”
In his role at EGA, Smithie will be responsible for the firm’s developing market investment strategy, providing insight for use in investment implementation, product development, portfolio management and client engagement. Smithie was previously senior emerging market strategist at UBS Investment Bank, where he developed strategic model portfolios for global institutions and for the creation of structured products. Prior to working at UBS, Smithie spent 12 years at MFS Investment Management, where he held portfolio manager roles, including lead portfolio manager of the MFS Emerging Markets Equity Fund.
Coming to EGA as a part of Smithie’s team will be Stephen Mo, until recently a strategist for the global equity market strategy team at UBS. Mo will be based in London.
“Joining EGA provides a significant opportunity to be part of a team leading the effort in creating strategic investment tools that capture some of the most exciting themes within developing markets,” Smithie says. “As developing markets continue to evolve, products such as those developed by EGA have become increasingly important in helping investors and institutions implement a more discerning, forward-looking approach toward their developing market allocations.”
As chief product and marketing officer for EGA, Zeitoun is responsible for product development, product management and firm marketing. Most recently, he led business development for Guggenheim Investments/Rydex as head of intermediary distribution for the firm’s ETF, mutual funds, separately managed accounts and variable insurance trust businesses. Prior to that, he spent eight years at UBS, serving as executive director for investment solutions and fee-based platforms, expanding the firm’s wealth management advisory business.
“EGA is widely recognised as an industry leader in creating tools that address developing market allocation needs,” says Zeitoun. “As the demand for intelligent customisation intensifies while traditional asset allocation notions of alpha and beta continue to evolve, the firm is well-positioned to become the provider of choice for developing market investors. It’s an exciting time to be here.”
