UK/EUROPE – California-based fixed income management company, PIMCO, has appointed Laura Ahto as senior vice president and head of operations and administration to its London office.

Reporting to Joe McDevitt, head of PIMCO Europe, Ahto will be responsible for European operations, infrastructure and business management.

Ahto joins PIMCO from Deutsche Bank in London, where she worked for 16 years, most recently as managing director of Deutsche Bank/Bankers Trust Global Securities Services (GSS), where she oversaw the integration of the Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank custody businesses in Europe.

Says McDevitt: “Laura brings valuable experience to our operational capabilities in Europe which will help us fulfil our objective of strong regional competence. In addition, her broad familiarity with non-US custodians will be welcome as we continue to expand our international capabilities.”

Part of the Allianz Dresdner Asset Management group, PIMCO currently manages more than $274bn (€281bn) in fixed income assets under management worldwide, of which $13bn is managed from London on behalf of European clients.