EUROPE - Pioneer Investments says it has hired Kerry Duffain from Citigroup Asset Management to be head of investment consultant relations in Europe.

It said the move "bolstered its plans to become a lead player in European institutional asset management".

"Kerry joins from Citigroup Asset Management where she was head of consultant relations EMEA for almost three years," Pioneer added. "Prior to that Kerry was head of client service Europe at JP Morgan Investment Management."

Duffain, who will be based in London, will report to Nigel Meir, head of institutional sales and distribution in the UK and Scandinavia.

"Kerry's role will see her take responsibility for investment consultant relationships and represent the group's activities and product offering to investment consultants throughout Europe.

"She will play an important role in the Group's strategy to increase its visibility amongst the consultant community and build its European institutional asset base."

Meir said: "I am delighted that Kerry has decided to join us and am confident that her broad experience with the investment consultant community will heighten awareness of our capabilities in both traditional and alternative investments and allow us to increase our presence in this market."

International head Matteo Perruccio added: "We intend to be a major institutional player and 2005 will see us embark on a Europe-wide drive which will see us commit further resources to grow our assets in this area."

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