Global multi-asset manager Candriam announces a number of new appointments and changes within its thematic global equity team.

Luxembourg-headquartered Candriam has announced that Johan Van der Biest (pictured), current deputy head of thematic global equity, will be the new head of thematic global equity, after a transition period.

Rudi Van den Eynde, current head of thematic global equity, is preparing for his retirement in the first quarter of 2025, the firm said in a statement. In anticipation of this, Van der Biest will serve as co-head alongside Van den Eynde, before assuming the role of head of thematic global equity, after the latter’s retirement.

Van der Biest will lead a team of 21 investment professionals, aiming to grow Candriam’s thematic offering in line with clients’ needs. There will be no changes to his fund management responsibilities, and he will not be replaced as deputy head of thematic global equity, the firm added.

Candriam has also appointed Servaas Michielssens as head of healthcare, starting this week, and based in Brussels, the firm said. Michielssens, who is returning after a 16-month tenure at a private equity firm, will oversee Candriam’s healthcare offering, which represents more than $4 billion in assets under management (AuM).

He will also lead Candriam’s life care strategy alongside co-manager Pierre Vaurice. Michielssens' expertise in the healthcare sector is well-established; he previously served as co-manager of Candriam’s biotechnology and oncology strategies, the firm added.

In addition, Linden Thomson has been appointed as senior fund manager to lead Candriam’s biotechnology and oncology strategies, starting next week, and based in London. Thomson, who has more than two decades of industry experience, will be joining from AXA Investment Managers where she led the firm’s biotech strategy and served as head of the healthcare franchise, the firm said.

“These strategic appointments and transitions ensure continuity, stability, and excellence in fund management across our thematic global equity team,” Nicolas Forest, CIO of Candriam, said. “I am confident that new leadership will significantly enhance our capabilities and continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients in such an important space.” 

Candriam’s thematic global equity offering has over $11 billion in AuM, across 15 strategies. The firm, which manages around €144 billion ($155 billion) of AuM, has offices in Luxembourg, Brussels, Paris, and London, and client representatives in more than 20 countries in continental Europe, the UK, the US, and the Middle East. Candriam offers investment solutions in several key areas, including bonds, equities, absolute performance strategies, and asset allocation, with a broad range of ESG strategies covering all its asset classes.