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Columbia Threadneedle EMD head dies

Tim Jagger joined the company in 2017, having previously worked at Aviva Investors and RBS in Asia

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Kirsten Hastings

The head of emerging market debt at Columbia Threadneedle Investments died suddenly on 2 October.

Described as a “much-valued leader, colleague and investors”, the company said he “will be missed by all his colleagues and friends at Columbia Threadneedle”.

Jagger joined the firm in Singapore from Aviva Investors in 2017, before relocating to London a year later when he was promoted to head of EMD.

He was also lead portfolio manager for Columbia Threadneedle’s flagship EMD funds.

Jagger started his financial services career at NatWest, before joining RBS. In 2007, he moved to Singapore where he was head of corporate credit strategy, before being promoted to head of credit strategy, Asia Pacific in 2009.

He joined Aviva Investors in 2012 as senior vice president, portfolio manager, fixed income, Asia.

Warmth, affection and respect

William Davies, chief investment officer Emea at Columbia Threadneedle, said: “Tim was an outstanding fund manager and leader of our global emerging market debt team.

“He was much admired and respected by colleagues within his team and across Columbia Threadneedle as a whole.

“He will be remembered by clients and colleagues with much warmth, affection and respect.

“Tim’s sense of humour and caring nature helped him stand out as a natural leader and friend.”

Davies added: “I speak on behalf of the whole of Columbia Threadneedle in expressing our deep and heartfelt sadness at his passing. Tim’s family and friends are very much in our prayers at this difficult time.”

Picking up the torch

Jagger’s responsibilities have been assumed by senior members of the global EMD team under the overall leadership of Gene Tannuzzo, deputy global head of fixed income.

Adrian Hilton, head of global rates and currencies, will become head of EMD on an interim basis.

Hilton is a senior fund manager with close to 20 years’ experience in fixed income markets and has been with Columbia Threadneedle since 2016.

He will co-manage the Threadneedle EMD pooled funds along with current deputy manager Chris Cooke, on an interim basis.

Both Hilton and Cooke worked closely with Tim since 2017 and they will continue to work closely with Ed Al-Hussainy, who leads Columbia Threadneedle’s seven-strong EMD research team.