Stichting Pensioenfonds Atos, with approximately €2.3bn in assets, has appointed Russell Investments as its fiduciary manager.

Russell Investments will work with Atos to deliver a comprehensive investment strategy across the scheme’s investment portfolio, using its open-architecture approach to provide access to best-in-class investment managers, alongside an enhanced governance and operational framework, it was announced.

The asset manager will also provide strategic asset allocation insights to the scheme’s trustees to meet the long-term requirements of its members. The fund will be able to leverage Russell Investments’ extensive expertise to develop the scheme’s private markets allocation and access attractive return and income opportunities within this asset class.

ESG considerations will be a major focus for Atos. Russell Investments will integrate responsible investing processes throughout the scheme’s investment portfolio to meet regulatory requirements and address key issues such as climate change, including the reduction of carbon exposures.

The partnership will also enhance governance practices and help the scheme meet its overall regulatory requirements.

Christiaan Tromp, board member of Atos and chair of the investment committee, said that Russell Investments had a long record of providing independent fiduciary management solutions and services. “We look forward to a successful partnership with Russell Investments, leveraging its expertise and scale to meet the long-term requirements of our members while strengthening our current governance practises.”

Joe Linhares, head of EMEA at Russell Investments, added: “There is growing demand for a more independent fiduciary management solution across Europe. We have honed our investment capabilities over 86 years working with large institutions around the world.”

Just last week Bpf Schilders, the Dutch pension fund for the decorating, painting, building finishing, and glazing industry, appointed Kempen as its fiduciary manager.

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