EUROPE – Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has appointed Geoff Hawksworth to head up its European Investment Services business.

Hawskworth replaces Alan Redpath, who retired at the beginning of the year. Previously Hawskworth was managing director of S&P’s equity and fund products in Europe.

In his new role, he will lead the development of S&P’s independent research and indices provision, covering equities and funds in Europe. This area of business is expanding within Europe, says S&P, largely as a result of market trends and the ongoing debate surrounding equity research. Hawskworth will head up further developments in this area, targeting European investment managers and investment advisors.

He will be based in London and report to Hendrik Kranenburg, global head of investment services in New York.