The European firm said that the new CEO has gained experience as a global team leader by serving in "top-tier establishments."

Denis Panel (pictured) is joining Sycomore Asset Management, part of Europe's Generali Investments, as chief executive officer, effective from 3 April.

Emeric Préaubert, co-founder of Sycomore AM, who will be stepping down from his operational role, will remain as a member of the supervisory board. Christine Kolb and Cyril Charlot, co-founders of the firm, and respectively head of business development and CIO, will maintain their current responsibilities and support Panel.

Panel’s remit includes upholding Sycomore AM’s corporate mission to bring a human dimension to investment, supporting it to develop a more sustainable and inclusive economy, and create value for clients and all the company’s stakeholders, the firm said in a statement. Along with developing the business, he will work towards increasing international growth, strengthening investment processes, and deploying new initiatives across the firm’s financial offering. His priorities will include optimising Sycomore AM’s product strategy in order to explore innovative, performance-driven, and meaningful investment solutions, the firm added.

Until recently, Panel served as global head of the Multi-Asset, Quantitative & Solutions (MAQS) division, BNP Paribas Asset Management’s largest investment centre. Over his career he has served in senior roles at Crédit Agricole AM, BNP Paribas Asset Management, and THEAM, an index-linked and quantitative asset management firm; he began his career at Société Générale AM. Panel, who is a qualified actuary, graduated from the Institut de Science Financière et d'Assurances – ISFA.

Kolb and Charlot said: “We are delighted that Denis Panel is joining us and look forward to benefiting from his experience as an investment professional and global team leader serving in international top-tier establishments. Our ability to attract a CEO with Denis’ background and experience clearly reflects our determination to focus on innovation, to scale up the business and change dimension.”

“I am thankful to all team members at Sycomore AM for sharing in this unique and fulfilling entrepreneurial adventure. Our employees are as engaged and motivated as ever, and I am fully confident in their ability to bring Sycomore AM to new heights of excellence under Denis’ leadership. As a member of the supervisory board, it is an honour for me to continue to serve the company and support its achievements," Préaubert added.

Panel said: “I am very happy to be joining the teams at Sycomore AM, a leading player in the field of sustainable investment, and supporting the firm as it writes a new chapter in its development. Together, we shall build upon a rich history of strong performances and meaningful investments as we lead the company forward into a new stage of growth.”