Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) announced today that Nicolaas Marais
has been appointed as president. In this role, he will take on a
broad range of responsibilities including Multi-Asset Class Solutions,
Research, and Product Management.
Based in San Francisco and London, he will join the organization in this
new role on February 1 and report to Kristi Mitchem, chief executive
officer and head of WFAM. Marais most recently served as head of
Multi-Asset Investments and Portfolio Solutions at Schroders.
“Given his impressive and complementary investment management
experience, Nico is ideally qualified to lead the development and
management of strong multi-asset class solutions for our clients,” said
Mitchem. “Nico also brings the informed perspective and judgment to
oversee product development and lead the creation of new offerings
across asset classes, geographies, and vehicle ranges that will meet the
needs of our clients.”
Prior to his five years with Schroders, Marais was global head of Active
Portfolio Management at BlackRock Multi Asset and Client Solutions where
he had responsibility for portfolio management, research, and investment
strategy. Before BlackRock, Marais held several leadership roles with
Barclays Global Investors, including global head of Investment Strategy,
head of Active Equity-Europe, head of Investment Strategy UK/Europe, and
head of Active Equity Product Management. Earlier in his career, he also
worked for The World Bank Group as a bond trader and for the South
African Reserve Bank as a gold trader.
“The investment industry is undergoing significant change, posing
challenges but also exciting opportunities,” said Marais. “I look
forward to helping build a business that focuses intensely on investor
outcomes and what our clients need, ranging from wealth preservation and
risk-controlled growth to income, supported by a scientific and
transparent investment process.”
Marais holds his doctorate of commerce in economics from the University
of South Africa. He earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and an advanced diploma in
international economic policy research from the Kiel Institute of World
Economics in Germany. He has also earned the right to use the Chartered
Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
About Wells Fargo Asset Management
Wells Fargo Asset Management, a division of Wells Fargo Wealth and
Investment Management, strives to help clients achieve their financial
goals through top-tier investment options managed by specialized
investment teams that are supported by independent risk management and
backed by superior, collaborative service. With more than $482 billion
in assets under management,* Wells Fargo Asset Management has 29
autonomous investment teams with specialized expertise and proven
processes; more than 500 investment professionals; and a global reach
with offices and clients around the world.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based
financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852
and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking,
insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance
through more than 8,600 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet
(wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and
territories to support customers who conduct business in the global
economy. With approximately 269,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one
in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was
ranked No. 27 on Fortune’s 2016 rankings of America’s largest
corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’
financial needs and help them succeed financially. News, insights and
perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells
Fargo Stories.
* As of December 31, 2016
Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is a trade name used by the asset
management businesses of Wells Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo Funds
Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company,
provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo
Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and
other services for the funds. The funds are distributed by Wells
Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA, an affiliate of Wells
Fargo & Company. Neither Wells Fargo Funds Management nor Wells Fargo
Funds Distributor has fund customer accounts/assets, and neither
provides investment advice/recommendations or acts as an investment
advice fiduciary to any investor.
NOT FDIC INSURED - NO BANK GUARANTEE - MAY LOSE VALUE
