The operation is being headed up by Matthew Wright, who was named head of country last year. At the end of June he will be joined by Nick White as sales manager. Two other people have also been hired, and additional staff “will be recruited through the year”, Carmignac Gestion said.
Wright, who reports to Davide Fregonese, global head of sales and marketing, had been head of sales at LV Asset Management, while White has previously worked for Martin Currie and Invesco Perpetual.
White will be responsible for raising Carmignac Gestion’s profile among UK discretionary fund managers and wealth advisers, the company said in a statement.
The office is located at 29 Cornhill, opposite the Royal Exchange and less than two blocks from the Bank of England.
Carmignac Gestion was founded in 1989 by Édouard Carmignac, and specialises in Ucits funds.
Carmignac Gestion managing director Eric Helderlé said the UK fund management industry’s “depth and sophistication” made it a key market for the company.
“Strategically, it’s an opportune time to set up in London, given the changing framework of retail distribution,” he added.
He said the company is offering a range of 10 funds to UK investors, all of which are available in sterling share classes and with FSA registration and reporting status.
This gives UK investors access to global equity (Carmignac Patrimoine), global emerging market equity (Carmignac Emerging Patrimoine and Carmignac Emergents), and specialist funds such as Carmignac Commodités.