Weston, who joins GAM from Generali, will be responsible for expanding the group’s sales effort to international financial advisers and consumer banks, both directly and via international life companies and investment platforms.
Matthew Lamb, GAM’s head of institutional and fund distribution, said the multi-asset business had enjoyed a great success in the UK during the past three years since it was launched, and that a significant amount of the flows had come from offshore markets.
“What we want to do is formalise that and help grow the offshore business,” he said.“James is bringing with him more than 15 years’ experience in the international asset management and insurance industry, and a global network of contacts across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.”
At Generali, Weston was head of affluent distribution for the pan-European business and head of bank distribution for the international business for four years.
Prior to this, he spent over 10 years at Old Mutual/Skandia, latterly as head of global strategic relationships, based in Hong Kong, London and Zurich.
Lamb said the multi-asset funds business had enjoyed growing demand with UK IFAs as regulation has tightened in the post-RDR world.
“That has led to more product going into multi-manager and model portfolio solutions.”
With the introduction of Mifid II and RDR-style regulations in other parts of the world, the demand is expected to grow.
He added: “We’ve already seen significant demand offshore for one-stop solutions, where people can get the benefits of the tax breaks – whether it be a QROPS or an offshore bond or both – but have their money sensibly managed.”
