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).

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.

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.

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