GIB Asset Management appoints new team to launch new emerging market equity capability

London: 01 March 2021: GIB Asset Management (“GIBAM”), today announces the appointment of Greg Konieczny and Kunal Desai to launch its Global Emerging Market Equity team that will complement and provide further depth to GIB AM’s existing equity capabilities.

The appointment of this team further increases GIB AM’s ability to provide a range of specialist investment solutions across asset classes and geographies to international institutional investors. It follows the recent development of the firm’s sustainable global equity capability, led by Neil Brown as Head of Equities, and continues GIB AM’s drive to deliver financial performance through companies that have a positive impact on the world. The new team adds deep, unique and tested expertise in emerging markets equities with a particular focus on actively engaging with companies to drive sustainable and financial outperformance.

Greg Konieczny will be Head of Global Emerging Markets Equities. Greg was a founding partner of Mobius Capital Partners, where he was responsible for the creation and implementation of their investment strategy, focused on unlocking value in portfolio companies through sustainability focused engagement. Greg has nearly 30 years of emerging markets investing experience, including over 20 years at Franklin Templeton, where he co-managed the franchise as Director of Specialty Strategies in the Emerging Markets Group (AUM of close to USD $30 billion), alongside leading the emerging markets Active Ownership group and Private Equity strategy.

Kunal Desai will be Portfolio Manager for Global Emerging Markets Equities. Kunal has over 10 years of experience in investing in Emerging and Frontier Markets, having most recently been part of a team at Mobius Capital Partners, where he was co-responsible for the creation and implementation of their EM equity investment process. Before Mobius Capital Partners, he was Lead Manager of the award-winning Neptune India Fund as Head of Indian Equities, and also served as a portfolio manager on the Neptune Global Emerging Markets Fund. He was awarded a Citywire AAA and FE Trustnet 5 Crowns rating.*

Katherine Garrett-Cox, CEO of GIB Asset Management, commented, “As a sustainable asset manager, we look for opportunities to deliver strong financial returns for our clients through investments in companies that can drive our transition to a more sustainable world. These issues have always been global, and as sustainability creates new opportunities in new markets, our team’s deep experience of emerging market sustainability strengthens our client offering in this exciting area.”

Neil Brown, Head of Equities at GIB Asset Management said: “I am delighted to welcome Greg and Kunal to the team. Their philosophy, process and passion are an excellent fit for the business we are building at GIB AM. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in working with companies across emerging markets to drive meaningful change. I look forward to the success they can bring to our clients, our business and our investee companies in the years ahead.”

On behalf of the team, Greg Konieczny said: “Kunal and I are thrilled to be joining GIB AM to spearhead the emerging markets strategy and reinforce the firm's commitment of delivering differentiated, sustainability focused, alpha generating strategies.

GIB AM share the principles central to our investment philosophy of seeking to engage actively with portfolio companies, to drive long term value creation through material ESG improvements and a pathway to higher incremental returns.

As management teams across the emerging world increasingly appreciate that improved sustainability practices can drive an enduring competitive advantage, we are excited to combine our specialist expertise with GIB AM's vision and capability to achieve success for all stakeholders."

* April 2016 to May 2018