AXA IM hires global healthcare specialist to co-manage UK domiciled Health fund
- 24 November 2023
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) can announce the hire of Chris Eccles as portfolio manager, bolstering the AXA IM Equity Healthcare team. Chris joins from Impax Asset Management where he was a senior global healthcare equity analyst, specialising in sustainable investment strategies, and has been appointed co-manager of the AXA Framlington Health fund.
Chris co-manages the Health fund alongside Cinney Zhang, a healthcare portfolio manager at AXA IM, who is already working on the fund and is a portfolio manager on the AXA Framlington Biotech fund as well. They both report to Tom Riley, Head of Global Thematic Strategies.
Commenting on the appointment Jeroen Bos, Global Head of AXA IM Equity, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Chris Eccles to AXA IM Equity. We have been looking to hire additional resource to our Healthcare team for a while, and Chris was a perfect fit to reinforce the team and assist Cinney in the management of our 36-year-old UK domiciled Health fund. As a responsible asset manager that actively invests for the long term to help our clients, people and the world to prosper, we were particularly attracted to Chris’ expertise in sustainable investment strategies.”
John Stainsby, Head of Core Client Group UK, added:
“AXA IM Equity has a long history and heritage in sector, thematic, and listed impact equity investing and is committed to continue to grow and develop these areas. Over the past years, we have seen significant growth in assets and product range in the space and continue to grow the investment teams accordingly. We remain absolutely committed to providing a wide variety of solutions to our UK client base.”
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Notes to editors
Biography
Prior to joining AXA IM, Chris spent five years at Impax Asset Management as the senior global healthcare analyst, specialising in sustainable investment strategies. Chris has over 12 years’ experience in global healthcare markets, having previously worked as a pharmaceutical sector analyst at Morgan Stanley and healthcare specialist sales at Stifel, as well as covering biotech at a new hedge fund start-up. Chris graduated from Oxford University with a 1st class degree in Physiological Sciences.
About AXA Investment Managers
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a responsible asset manager, actively investing for the long term to help its clients, its people, and the world to prosper. Our high conviction approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and traditional asset classes, managing approximately €842* billion in assets as at the end of September 2023.
AXA IM is a leading investor in green, social and sustainable markets, managing €489 billion of ESG-integrated, sustainable, and impact assets as at the end of December 2022. We are committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across all our assets, and integrating ESG principles into our business, from stock selection to our corporate actions and culture. Our goal is to provide clients with a true value responsible investment solution, while driving meaningful change for society and the environment.
At end of December 2022, AXA IM employs over 2,600 employees around the world, operates out of 24 offices across 18 countries, and is part of the AXA Group, a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management.
* Includes the contribution from Architas and AXA IM Prime, net of intercompany elimination.
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