New thematic investment firm offers focus on ESG

One of the world’s largest fund managers, Natixis Investment Managers, has created a new boutique manager for thematic investing, based on high conviction and active management of global equities.

The new firm, Thematics Asset Management, will offer global thematic strategies such as safety, water, artificial intelligence and robotics, from the second quarter of 2019. The new manager will have an emphasis on integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG). It will be run by staff from Natixis who have previously launched thematic funds and experience of finding companies exposed to long-term, secular growth themes. The new firm will be led by Karen Kharmandarian, as chairman and CIO, and Mohammed Amor, managing partner and head of development.