BlackRock promotes Bolton to CIO & restructures bond desk

BlackRock has promoted its head of European equities Nigel Bolton to chief investment officer for the EMEA and Asia regions within the firm’s Alpha Strategies group.

Bolton, who also co-manages the BGF European and BGF European Focus funds, will continue to run these strategies while taking on the role of CIO of International Fundamental Equity, reporting to Quintin Price.

BlackRock said in a statement: ‘Nigel’s expanded role will cover the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, where he will work closely with his counterpart Chris Leavy, CIO of Fundamental Equity Americas, to deliver investment excellence across Fundamental Equity.

‘He remains Head of the European Equity Team and retains his portfolio management responsibilities.’

In his new role, Bolton will focus on investment performance across the teams.

Prior to joining BlackRock in 2008, Bolton was director and head of European Equities at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

He spent most of his career with Citigroup Global Asset Management, becoming managing director and head of European Equities in 1998.

In a separate move, the firm’s head of fixed income Peter Fisher has changed roles to become senior director of the BlackRock Investment Institute.

In a memo seen by Wealth Manager, Fisher will work closely with the institute’s director Lee Kempler and chief investment strategist Ewen Cameron Watt. 

As part of a reshuffle in fixed income, Rick Rieder and Kevin Holt will become co-head of Americas fixed income, while Tim Webb will continue to run EMEA and Asia Pacific fixed income, and remains CIO of Global Alpha. Peter Hayes will continue to run Tax-Exempt fixed income, reporting to Holt.