GERMANY - Janus Capital Group has appointed Thomas Döring to the new position of sales director for the German-speaking countries, effective from 1 February.

Janus said that in his new role, Döring would focus on “developing third-party distribution channels with retail banks, private banks and private client portfolio managers” for 16 of its mutual funds currently sold in Europe.

Döring reports to Thomas Fleck, who is Janus’ head for the German-speaking countries.

Fleck told IPE that as a result of hiring Döring, he was freed up to do more business with institutional clients. “The idea is for Mr Döring to focus on the retail side and for me to focus on the institutional side. I will be stepping up my meetings with (investment) consultants,” he said.

Prior to his appointment, Döring, 31, was vice president at Pioneer Fonds Marketing GmbH, responsible for private banks, asset managers and endowments.

Earlier this month, Janus poached Marco Grassi from ING Investment Management for the new position of sales director for Italy. The appointments are linked to the US asset manager’s efforts to raise its profile on the European continent.

Denver-based Janus currently has $139bn in assets under management.