Deals & People April 21, 2010

Russell Makes Two ETF Product Appointments

Russell Investments has hired Ken O’Keeffe to support the firm’s index-licensing business for exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
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According to a company announcement, Russell also promoted Jamie Forbes to regional director for ETFs for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region from her base in London.

O’Keeffe will oversee licensing and future development of new and additional products for ETF providers in the Americas. O’Keeffe formerly worked for MSCI Barra, where he most recently served as global head of client service. He is based in Russell’s office in New York City.

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Earlier at MSCI Barra, O’Keeffe served as chief administrative officer, helping to prepare the firm for public offering, and he led several significant product initiatives as head of product management in the Americas, the company said.

“The licensing of Russell Indexes for a wide range of passive ETF products is a rapidly growing part of our business, and we’re very pleased to have more talent pushing a stream of new products through the pipeline in conjunction with existing and new partners,” said Rolf Agather, head of index research and innovation at Russell Investments, in the announcement.

Deals & People April 21, 2010

Russell Investments Names Head of Americas Institutional Business

Russell Investments has announced the appointment of Penny Zuckerwise as CEO Americas Institutional.
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Zuckerwise will join Russell on May 3 and will report to Russell’s president and CEO Andrew Doman. She will also become a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.  

Based in New York, Zuckerwise has more than 25 years of industry experience, as a business leader, consultant, and investment adviser, according to the announcement. Prior to joining Russell, she was president and CEO of Utendahl Capital Management, L.P., a minority- and woman-owned asset management firm.  

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Previously, Zuckerwise also served as the principal and founder of Wiserock LLC and president and chief operating officer of Chancellor LGT Capital Management (now Invesco).   

Russell also announced that as part of its expansion of client services in both the U.S. and Canada, nearly 30 new hires will join the company this year in the areas of consulting, investment product development, defined contribution, and risk management.  

Russell’s Americas Institutional business serves institutional investors across North America, including corporate and public defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, multi-employer plans, and endowments and foundations.

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