Natixis appoints new head of UK retail

Matthew Shafer has joined Natixis Global Asset Management from Merrill Lynch as managing director of the UK retail business and global key accounts, replacing Ed Farrington.

Shafer (pictured) will report directly to president and chief executive for international distribution Hervé Guinamant, while Farrington is moving to the firm's Boston office. Shafer previously spent five years at Merrill Lynch as head of EMEA sales for offshore funds, alternative investments and managed products. He will be based in the London office, with responsibilities for leveraging cross-border sales of Luxembourg- and Dublin-domiciled mutual funds to global wholesalers. The group launched its UK retail offering in January 2013 with UK versions of funds from its subsidiaries...