Chris Hofmann, previously head of ETF asset allocation at the wealth management arm of UniCredit, has joined BNP Paribas Asset Management as senior sales manager for the ETF and indexed fund team in Germany.
Hofmann will report to Claus Hecher, BNP Paribas' head of development in Germany, Austria and German-speaking clients and will be based in Munich.
Hofmann, who has 10 years' experience in ETFs including a stint working within Lyxor's German sales team, will be responsible for expanding the distribution of index-linked products to institutional investors and local distribution networks, with a particular emphasis on BNP Paribas' Easy range of ETFs.
Her appointment continues the growth in the number of employees at of BNP Paribas Asset Management who are now focused on indexed fund and ETF solutions in the European market.
BNP pointed out that Germany is the second largest European market for ETF investing, with ETFs accounting for 27.2% of total assets under management. This places the market just behind the UK but ahead of France.
Isabelle Bourcier, global head of ETF and indexed fund activities at BNP Paribas Asset Management, said Hoffman's vital local market knowledge added a vital cog to the company's efforts in Germany.
"Her considerable experience of the ETF market, combined with her excellent knowledge of the specific needs of German private banks and family offices will be very important for the growth of our business in the German market, which is one of the key European markets for our BNP Paribas Easy ETF range."
Prior to joining BNP Paribas, Hofmann had spent seven years at UniCredit. She is a graduate of the ACCADIS School of International Business (SIB) in Bad Homburg and the American Business School in Paris.
