UK – New York-based Lazard Asset Management (LAM) has appointed Bill Smith as managing director and co-chief executive officer to take care of its London-based UK operation.

Lazard’s UK operation was formerly overseen by Andreas Hüber from its Frankfurt office. Smith’s position has been created recently to allow Hüber to concentrate on the German operation and for Smith to focus on the UK.

Smith joins from ABN Amro where he was managing director, head of European equities and global head of research.

Prior to that he worked at Barclays where he held various positions, including chairman of its mutual fund division, chairman of Barclays Stockbrokers and chief executive of the Life division.

Before Barclays he was head of research and European strategist at Prudential Bache.

Lazard has some $65.7bn (€65.4bn) in assets under management worldwide.