Russell bolsters bond team with double hire

Russell Investments has announced two new appointments to its global fixed income team as it seeks to offer investors a truly international approach to bond markets.

These two new additions follow hot-on-the-heels of Russell Investments increasing its bond fund range with the launch of a local currency emerging debt fund.

The London-based multi-manager specialist has added fixed income researchers Adam Smears from Old Mutual Global Investors and Kevin Dockrell from Towers Watson.

Both will join Russell’s fixed income team in London with Smears being handed the role of head of fixed income research where he will oversee its nine-strong team.

Smears brings with him 15 years of market experience, having spent the last eight as head of investment research at Old Mutual Global Investors, which was formerly Skandia Investment Group.

Meanwhile Dockrell, who will split his time across Russell’s London, New York, Seattle, Sydney and Toronto offices, joins as a fixed income research analyst.

Dockrell has spent four years as a fixed income research and investment consultant at Towers Watson where he covered sterling and European fixed income, emerging market debt, global credit and multi-strategy alternative credit.

Commenting on the new appointments, Jeff Hussey, CIO for fixed income, said: ‘We continue to see growing demand for our fixed income products as investors around the world look to weave in strategies as part of their multi asset portfolio design.’

‘To best support this demand, it is increasingly important that our team structure takes a truly international approach – and we have fixed income researchers and portfolio managers throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.’