In a significant strategic move, Schroders Capital has bolstered its private assets division by recruiting a seasoned professional from investment management giant Pimco.
The appointment sees Chris O'Donnell join as Head of Business Development for Private Assets, bringing substantial experience from his previous role at Pimco where he served as Head of UK Institutional Business for nearly five years.
Strategic Expansion in Private Assets
O'Donnell's recruitment represents a deliberate effort by Schroders Capital to strengthen its position in the competitive private assets market. He will report directly to Graham Thomas, who heads Distribution for Private Assets at the firm.
During his tenure at Pimco, O'Donnell played a crucial role in managing relationships with UK institutional clients, including pension funds and insurance companies. His expertise in this area is expected to be invaluable as Schroders Capital seeks to expand its private assets offerings to similar client segments.
The hiring comes at a time when institutional investors are increasingly allocating capital to private markets in search of higher returns and portfolio diversification.
Proven Track Record in Institutional Sales
Before his five-year stint at Pimco, O'Donnell built his career at M&G Investments, where he spent over seven years in various institutional sales roles. His extensive background in both traditional and alternative asset management provides him with a unique perspective on client needs across different market environments.
At Schroders Capital, O'Donnell will be responsible for driving the growth of the firm's private assets business through developing new client relationships and strengthening existing ones. His appointment signals the firm's commitment to expanding its alternative investment capabilities amid growing investor appetite for private market exposure.
Private assets have become an increasingly important component of institutional portfolios, with many investors seeking exposure to private equity, private debt, infrastructure, and real estate as alternatives to traditional public markets.
Strengthening Market Position
Schroders Capital manages approximately £75 billion in alternative investments across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, private debt, and securitised products. The division serves as the private markets arm of Schroders Group, which oversees more than £750 billion in assets globally.
The recruitment of a high-profile executive from Pimco underscores the competitive nature of the talent market in alternative investments. As institutional demand for private assets continues to grow, asset managers are increasingly competing for professionals with proven track records in business development and client relationship management.
O'Donnell's move follows several other strategic appointments within Schroders Capital as the firm continues to build out its capabilities across different alternative investment strategies and geographic markets.
Industry observers note that such hires are crucial for asset managers looking to capture a larger share of the growing private assets market, particularly as institutional investors continue to increase their allocations to alternatives in search of yield and diversification benefits.
