After Pictet Asset Management launched its first exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the European market, and as investment managers expand their ETF range, the firm has appointed a new head of ETF distribution.

Along with a number of investment managers expanding their ETF range, Geneva-headquartered Pictet Asset Management has appointed Alfred Le Léon (pictured) as head of ETF distribution, EMEA. He will report to Malick Badjie, global co-head of sales.

The newly-created role follows the recent launch of Pictet AM’s first ETFs in the European market.

Le Léon was formerly with JP Morgan, where he spent almost eight years as head of ETF distribution for France, Benelux and French-speaking Switzerland. He began his career in 2010 as an ETF specialist at HSBC and Deutsche Bank. 

"We are delighted to welcome Alfred at an exciting time for our ETF business in Europe,” Badjie said. “Alfred brings more than 15 years of ETF distribution experience and a proven track record of building ETF businesses across European markets. His expertise will be instrumental in accelerating the growth of our ETF franchise and broadening access to our AI Enhanced Equity Index Active ETFs to investors."

Last July, Pictet AM launched its first European range of AI Enhanced Equity Index Active ETFs. The four ETFs are listed for trading on XETRA, Borsa Italiana, Euronext and LSE.

A number of investment managers such as US-headquartered investment managers Franklin Templeton and Invesco have been boosting their range of ETFs recently. US-based State Street Investment Management published its 2025 EMEA Wealth Manager Survey recently, showing that ETFs remain dominant, with rising demand. In a time of macroeconomic uncertainty and industry change, the survey shows that 88 per cent of wealth managers expect to use ETFs more frequently in client portfolios.

An ETF is a basket of securities such as stocks and/or bonds that are held in a single fund that is bought or sold on an exchange. The market has surged in recent years as investors and advisors have sought lower-cost ways of obtaining market exposure.

Pictet Asset Management, which has SFr287 billion ($355 billion) in assets, includes all the operating subsidiaries and divisions of the Pictet group that carry out institutional asset management and fund management.