EUROPE - Unicredit Group is preparing to name a new chief executive at Pioneer Investments, its asset management division, over the coming days as Dario Frigerio is leaving in January.

A statement issued by the parent group said Frigerio will stay until 31 January 2010 to provide a smooth transition. However he will be leaving the firm to pursue "new professional opportunities".

Frigerio has been with the firm since 2000 and became CEO of Pioneer Global Asset Management in 2001, before picking up additional roles in 2004 as deputy general manager of Unicredit and CEO of Unicredit Private Banking.

Pioneer had €170bn in assets under management at the end of September 2009.

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