OppenheimerFunds has opened its new headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in London. The office will allow OppenheimerFunds to expand the distribution of its investment strategies, including its growing number of UCITS offerings, across the region.
“Building out our office in London, a global financial centre, is a critical component of our international strategy. Having a local presence enhances our capabilities to reach our growing EMEA client base and provides access to our flagship strategies.” says Art Steinmetz (pictured), Chairman and CEO of OppenheimerFunds.
Doug Stewart, Head of EMEA, leads OppenheimerFunds’ London-based operations. To further build out the firm’s capabilities across these markets, Stewart recently hired Dicken Watson as Chief Operating Officer for EMEA.
A lawyer by training, Watson brings an extensive knowledge of the EMEA regulatory landscape. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds, he was the Director of Compliance and Senior Counsel at Affiliated Managers Group. Based in London and reporting to Stewart, Watson will lead operational and compliance-related activities throughout the region.
“We look forward to providing our proven, global investment solutions to a range of clients across the region, both through strategies and our expanding range of UCITS funds,” says John McDonough, Head of Distribution and Marketing for OppenheimerFunds and OFI Global Asset Management, Inc.
In addition to the firm’s EMEA expansion, Paul Eisenhardt, Head of International Distribution – Americas and Australia, continues to lead OFI Global’s distribution activities with US-based non-resident investors as well as developing client relationships in Australia. OFI Global is a subsidiary of OppenheimerFunds serving institutional investors and consultants throughout the world.
Last year, the firm launched OppenheimerFunds ICAV, an Ireland-domiciled UCITS platform and its sub-funds. These funds provide new choices to clients across regions and deepen relationships with consultants and investment platform providers. Recently, OppenheimerFunds added the Oppenheimer Emerging Markets Local Debt UCITS Fund to its suite of UCITS offerings.
