As part of the leadership transition, Candriam has appointed Servaas Michielssens as head of healthcare, returning to the firm after a 16-month tenure at a private equity firm.
Candriam has made a series of changes to its thematic global equity investing team ahead of Rudi Van den Eynde’s retirement in the first quarter of 2025.
Johan Van der Biest, currently deputy head of thematic global equity, will succeed Van den Eynde upon his retirement next year. Until then, they will work together as co-heads of the team of 21 investment professionals.
Van den Eynde has worked at the asset manager since 1998, when he joined the firm as a senior equity fund manager. He became head of thematic global equity in 2012 and currently manages the Candriam Biotechnology and Candriam Oncology funds.
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Having joined the firm in 2003 as a senior equity manager, Van der Biest is currently the lead manager for the Candriam Robotics and Innovative Technologies fund. There will be no changes to his fund management responsibilities and he will not be replaced as deputy head of thematic global equity.
As part of the leadership transition, Candriam has appointed Servaas Michielssens as head of healthcare, returning to the firm after a 16-month tenure at a private equity firm.
Based in Brussels, he will oversee Candriam's healthcare offering, which manages more than $4bn in assets. In his new role, he will lead the firm's life care strategy alongside co-manager Pierre Vaurice, having previously served as co-manager of the biotechnology and oncology strategies.
The asset manager has also appointed Linden Thomson as senior fund manager to lead Candriam's biotechnology and oncology strategies, effective 19 February, who will based in London.
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She joins the firm from AXA Investment Managers, where she led the firm's biotech strategy and served as head of the healthcare franchise.
Nicolas Forest, CIO of Candriam, said: "We warmly welcome Servaas and Linden to the team. Their proven expertise and track record will further reinforce our leading position in healthcare investing. Their decision to join Candriam highlights the strong capabilities and esteemed reputation Candriam has established in this space.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rudi for his significant contributions, including pioneering Candriam's oncology strategy. And extend our congratulations to Johan on his new role, in recognition of the increasing responsibilities and significant contributions he has made over the decades."
