Aviva Investors continues growth of Americas capabilities with Investment Director hire
Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, announces it has appointed Danielle LeClair as Investment Director, Americas, as it continues to build out its resources in the region.
It is the third senior hire made by Aviva Investors to its Toronto-based team in the last month and comes after the appointment of Julie Caron as Head of Institutional, Americas, and Dean Liotta as Managing Director, Institutional, Americas, to its regional Distribution capabilities in August.
In the newly-created role, Danielle will report to Barney Goodchild, Head of Fixed Income & Equity Investment Specialists.
Danielle joins Aviva Investors from Morningstar, where she was Director of Manager Research for Canada, leading a team of analysts responsible for the qualitative assessment and ratings of open-end funds, ETFs, and segregated mandates in the Canadian market. Prior to joining Morningstar in 2021, Danielle spent more than 13 years at a large global asset manager, covering a range of asset classes as a manager research analyst, latterly leading the integration of ESG considerations into manager research and asset allocation strategies, whilst also contributing to thematic ESG research. Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Mount Allison University and a Master of Finance degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
Duane Green, CEO, Americas, at Aviva Investors, said:
“Danielle’s appointment is another example of our commitment to the Americas region, building on the arrival of Julie and Dean in our Distribution team, and ensuring we provide clients with a high-quality service built on experience and expertise. These hires are real statements of intent for the growth of our business and of the importance we place on our clients in the region. We believe Danielle will be a key contributor towards our future successes, as we continue expanding our on-the-ground resources and expertise, to deliver long-term outcomes for clients.”
In addition to Danielle LeClair, Aviva Investors has also appointed Kelly Smith as Client Marketing Lead, Americas. Kelly is a senior marketing and communications executive with 25 years of experience in financial services. In her most recent role she led regional strategy, high-impact marketing initiatives, and brand alignment across digital, print, and experiential platforms for a large asset manager. She has also held key positions at firms such as Raymond James, with a strong track record in brand development, digital engagement, and event management. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University.
Duane Green added:
“We believe Kelly will be another excellent addition to our team, and a key figure in supporting our outreach to – and engagement with – clients, prospects and other key audiences across the Americas as we remain resolutely focused on growing the awareness and recognition of Aviva Investors in this important growth market. I look forward to working with her and seeing the business flourish.”
Aviva Investors adds German logistics warehouse to Perpetual Capital portfolio
Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, announces it has acquired a newly-developed logistics hub located in the Kitzingen region of Bavaria, Germany from Scannell Properties.
The building, which is situated in the ConneKT Logistics Park, was completed in July 2023 and is fossil-fuel free, offering nearly 12,000 sq m of warehousing space. It is fully pre-let to an online retailer on a 15-year lease, whilst being located strategically with access to the A3 and A7 motorway networks running East-to-West and North-to-South across Germany.
Building on Aviva Investors’ continued focus to decarbonise its real estate portfolio, the building also possesses strong sustainability credentials. As well as being fossil fuel free and using a district heating network connection, it is targeting an EPC A rating and a Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) Gold classification, considered one of the leading sustainability certification systems for buildings.
George Fraser-Harding, Head of European Funds, Real Estate, at Aviva Investors, said:
“We are pleased to continue the growth of our European real estate strategy with this strategic acquisition of a core asset in Bavaria. Let to a high-quality tenant on a multi-year lease and well-positioned geographically, the hub complements and diversifies our existing portfolio of logistics assets in continental Europe, whilst its sustainability credentials should make it an attractive proposition well into the future. All of this will contribute to delivering positive long-term performance for our investor clients.”