Bill O’Neill has left Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as chief investment officer to pursue a career elsewhere after being appointed to the CIO role in early 2010, this publication has learned.

Bill O’Neill has left Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as chief investment officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa to pursue a career elsewhere after being appointed to the CIO role in early 2010, this publication has learned.

As part of the change, Johannes Jooste, who is chief market strategist, EMEA Chief Investment Office, will take up responsibility for the chief investment office in London, where he reports to Chris Wolfe, effective immediately. The CIO team will report to Jooste.

O’Neill had been at the US-headquartered firm for five years. BoA declined to comment.  

Jooste joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2008 from Rand Merchant Bank, initially as a fixed income specialist.