One of the world's largest investment managers, Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM), is opening an office in Zurich on October 1, to be headed by Mauro Gerli, LGIM said in a statement. He will report to Silvia Schaak, the co-head of institutional for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

LGIM has been operating in Switzerland for several years, serving Swiss institutional and wholesale clients. The firm, which has $1.75 trillion under management, said that opening the Zurich offices underscores the firm's «ambitious» growth strategy on the continent.

Institutional Focus

Gerli joined LGIM on September 5 and will be responsible for expanding the firm's institutional business with a focus on pension funds, corporates, insurance companies, and consultants. He will be joined by Nadine Saïsset who will be a client manager.

Gerli has over two decades of asset management industry experience and has worked for several companies in the field including Swiss Re, Man Group, Credit Suisse, and Fisch Asset Management.

In welcoming Gerli to the firm, LGIM CEO Michelle Scrimgeour said «Switzerland plays an important role in LGIM’s growth strategy for continental Europe. Opening an office in Zurich for the first time is a key milestone and a sign of our commitment to the Swiss market. Mauro’s appointment and the establishment of our Zurich representative office will allow us to better support our existing clients and further develop our business in Switzerland.»