UK – Hewitt Associates said its decision to hire former Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch fixed income head Christine Farquhar is a response to pension fund demand for fixed income.

"Christine Farquhar is a highly experienced investment professional who has an outstanding reputation in the fixed income investment market,” said Andy Tunningley, Hewitt’s head of UK investment consulting.

“Her appointment is a direct response to the increased client demand for fixed income investments we are experiencing.” Farquhar’s appointment at Hewitt first emerged last month.

Tunningley added: "As we know, many pension funds have decreased equity weightings, or in some cases have replaced them entirely with bonds.

“Trustees are no longer using bonds purely for diversification purposes, but rather to harmonise assets with liabilities.

“As a result, client demand for a clearer understanding of fund managers with the necessary skills to manage large fixed income portfolios has grown."

Hewitt has named Farquhar, the former head of fixed income at LODH in London, to lead its fixed income fund manager research. She left the Swiss firm amid a restructuring.

Before joining LODH she settled a sex discrimination claim with former employer Insight Investment for an undisclosed sum, according to reports.

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