Vontobel poaches HY manager from US firm

Zurich-based asset management firm Vontobel has made two new appointments to its fixed income unit as it seeks to strengthen its high yield and credit investment teams.

The new recruits are David Walls and Stefan Hüsler  who join the firm's bond team which oversees CHF 9 billion (€7.2 billion).

Walls has been named deputy manager on the firm’s Luxembourg-domiciled Vontobel Fund - High Yield Bond fund.

The €67 million was launched in June 2012 and is currently run by Stefan Chappot. In addition to supporting Chappot, Walls will also serve as a credit analyst.

Meanwhile, Hüsler has been appointed as a credit analyst covering capital goods, basic industry and financial services. He joins having previously held positions at UBS, Pemba Credit Advisors and Man Investments.

In the six months to the end of December 2012, the Vontobel Fund - High Yield Bond fund has returned 10% in euro terms. Over the same period, its Citywire benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch Global High Yield TR, has risen 6.5%.