Senior hires have been made at Natixis Investment Managers, part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE, and its affiliated investment management firm Ostrum Asset Management.

Ostrum Asset Management has appointed Olivier Houix as chief executive officer, starting immediately, to replace Philippe Setbon. Setbon has been appointed chief executive officer of Natixis Investment Managers, in charge of asset and wealth management for Groupe BPCE.

Setbon (pictured) is also a member of the senior management committee of Groupe BPCE’s global businesses and member of the BPCE executive committee. He succeeds Tim Ryan who has decided to pursue his career outside the group, the firm said in a statement.

Setbon began his career in 1990 as a financial analyst with Barclays Bank in Paris, before working for Groupe Azur-GMF for 10 years as head of asset management. After that, he joined Generali Group in 2004 where he served in a series of senior roles including CEO of Generali Investments France, CEO of Generali Investments Europe and chief investment officer for the whole of the Generali Group. He joined Groupama in 2013 as CEO of Groupama Asset Management and he has been CEO of Ostrum Asset Management since 2019, the firm continued.

Setbon was also elected president of the French Asset Management Association (AFG) in June 2022.

“Philippe Setbon’s appointment recognizes his successful work over the last four years as chief executive officer of Ostrum AM, our specialist fixed income and insurance-related investment management affiliate, and adds to his particularly rich and diverse career in the asset management industry,” Stéphanie Paix, CEO of Groupe BPCE's Global Business, said. 

Houix, who will report directly to Setbon, was also appointed chief sustainability officer of Groupe BPCE's global businesses in September 2022 (Natixis CIB, Natixis IM). Houix began his career in 1997 in the General Inspection department of Banque Indosuez. He joined Groupe BPCE in 2001. After holding various positions in the General Inspection department of Natixis, then in the strategy department of Caisse Nationale des Caisses d'Epargne, Houix moved to the Asset Management division in 2005. He became CEO of Natixis Asset Management Finance in 2009, a position he held for 10 years. In 2019, he became head of Internal Audit at Natixis Investment Managers, the firm said.

“Olivier Houix has had a remarkable career in the Group's asset management businesses, holding a wide range of responsibilities for over 20 years, in which he has demonstrated his commitment and great professionalism. Under his leadership, Ostrum AM will be fully equipped to consolidate and develop its leading position in insurance and fixed income,” Paix said. 

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Investment Managers’ affiliated investment management firms include Ostrum Asset Management.