Cardano has appointed Marino Valensise as its group chief investment officer from Barings Asset Management.
Valensise has worked in the investment industry for over 30 years. He has spent the last 20 years at Barings in several different roles, including the role of CIO for seven years. Most recently, he was head of the firm's multi-asset group and chairman of its strategic policy group, also co-managing its dynamic allocation fund.
In his role at Cardano, Valensise will oversee investment strategies and portfolio construction for all clients across the group. Based in the UK, he will work closely with deputy chief investment officer Keith Guthrie and head of strategy Tom Rivers. In the Netherlands, he will work with the LDI team led by Rik Klerkx.
Valensise is expected to join Cardano on 1 June 2020.
Cardano Group chief executive Michael De Lathauwer commented: "With the recruitment of Marino as CIO, we are bringing a very experienced multi-asset investment professional into the group. Our business has grown significantly over the last few years.
"Marino's deep investment experience will be very valuable as we face major market uncertainty, alongside opportunities through the current dislocations. The team has calmly navigated the recent turbulence very well, proving the benefits of economically balanced portfolios. We strongly believe that the right leadership and investment skills will service our clients well in the future."
Valensise added: "I am very excited to join the Cardano Group as CIO. Its positioning as a pension-focused organisation, helping trustees to deliver safer outcomes for their members, is quite unique. I look forward to working with this outstanding team. The current crisis is adding to an already complex investment puzzle, which will inevitably present a range of opportunities."
