The Swiss asset management firm has handed the role to a former journalist.

GAM has appointed Elena Logutenkova as its new group head of communications, replacing Larissa Alghisi Rubner, who is leaving the firm after a six-year stint.

Rubner has headed up communications since joining GAM in 2010 from UBS, where she was managing director. She was appointed to the group management board in June 2015. She will leave GAM to “pursue new opportunities”, remaining on the board until the end of October.

Logutenkova, who is based in Zurich, has been senior communications manager at GAM since last year. She was previously a finance reporter at Bloomberg News.

"Larissa joined GAM shortly after the company's independent listing to build our corporate communications function and accomplished this goal successfully. We would like to thank Larissa for her many contributions over the past six years and for building a strong in-house communications team, which allows for a seamless succession,” said Alexander Friedman, group chief executive of GAM.

“Elena has a deep understanding of the investment industry and well recognised experience in financial journalism. I am confident that under her leadership the communications team will continue to effectively support our strategy and our profile as a thought leader in active asset management."

Headquartered in Zurich, GAM had assets under management of SFr113.5 billion ($116.5 billion) as at 30 June 2016.