Pioneer Investments announces that Tanguy Le Saout and Ali Chabaane have resigned from Pioneer with immediate effect, and on the 13th of December, 2016, they will consent to the orders of the Dublin High Court that effectively redress any advantage they might have obtained due to their conduct in seeking to launch a competing asset management business.
Le Saout and Chabaane were recently suspended following an internal investigation that showed they had acted against the commercial best interests of Pioneer. There has been no negative impact on client assets or accounts; no other investment professionals were involved; and no regulatory breaches occurred. Two other human resources employees, associated with the actions of Le Saout and Chabaane, will also consent to the orders of the Dublin High Court and have also resigned with immediate effect.
Giordano Lombardo, CEO and Group CIO of Pioneer Investments, commented “Any actions that violate our corporate values of trust, loyalty and teamwork must be responded to, irrespective of the circumstances. We have taken decisive action in this instance in order to protect our commercial best interests and have ensured that no client assets were adversely affected and no compliance breaches took place.”
Following the resignations, 15-year Pioneer veteran Cosimo Marasciulo currently Head of European Government Bonds, has been appointed as Head of European Fixed Income and Declan Murray, currently Global Chief of Staff for Investments at Pioneer, to provide guidance and leadership to the Portfolio Construction team. Pioneer expects a seamless transition under Marasciulo and Murray given the capability and experience of both individuals, as well as the strength and depth of the broader Pioneer European fixed-income team that encompasses a matrix structure of over 15 portfolio managers and 24 research analysts.
Amundi announced on Monday that it has signed a binding agreement with UniCredit in order to acquire Pioneer Investments for an all-cash consideration of €3,545 million.