French multinational services firm Natixis has bolstered its senior teams with two new senior appointments, hiring Joseph Pinto to the newly created role of chief operating officer (COO) at Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM) and Philippe Setbon as chief executive officer (CEO) of Ostrum Asset Management.

Mr Pinto and Mr Setbon will both be members of the Natixis’ executive committee and of the Natixis Investment Managers’ management committee.

Natixis believe that the creation of the COO role and the appointment of Mr Pinto will boost its management team with the aim of enhancing its operational efficiency. He will report to Jean Raby, chief executive officer of Natixis Investment Managers and a member of the senior management committee in charge of asset and wealth management. Mr Pinto joins Natixis Investment Managers from AXA IM, where he has worked for 12 years, being chief operating officer at the firm since 2014. He will begin his new role in the next few months.

Mr Setbon replaces Matthieu Duncan, who resigned from his role as chief executive officer of Ostrum Asset Management in order to pursue other interests. He will take up his position at the end of November, until which time Matthieu will remain in his role.

Prior to his appointment at Ostrum Asset Management, Mr Setbon worked for Groupama as chief executive officer of its asset management division. He currently serves as vice president of the French asset management association (AFG).

François Riahi, chief executive officer of Natixis said: “With Philippe Setbon and Joseph Pinto, we welcome to the Natixis executive committee two leading asset management professionals. Joseph Pinto, whose international background perfectly fits with our setup, will bring significant added-value to our multi-affiliate business model at a truly transformative moment for the industry.”

Explaining the value of their roles, Mr Riahi explained: “Philippe Setbon will lead one of our key strategic initiatives; the creation and development with La Banque Postale Asset Management of a European leader focused on insurance-related euro fixed income.”

Commenting on the appointments Mr Raby added: “Joseph and Philippe’s recognized experience and expertise will bolster Natixis IM and Ostrum AM’s growth and operational efficiency and will contribute to further power the continued development of our business. I thank Matthieu Duncan for his contribution to the successful transformation and repositioning of Ostrum AM that he has overseen over the past three years.”