WisdomTree has hired Benjamin Dean as director of its digital assets team from Hiscox with Alice Liu joining as senior associate on its European research team from Coutts.
Dean (pictured) will play an active role in the development of the WisdomTree’s digital asset products, advising on strategy and connecting with service providers within the cryptocurrency industry.
Previously, he spent two years at Hiscox with his last year spent as cyber catastrophe research lead.
Before this, he spent five years as president of Iconoclast Tech providing consulting services on emerging technology to public and private sector organisations.
Liu will support WisdomTree’s digital assets distribution efforts in Europe and report to Christopher Gannatti, head of research in Europe.
Prior to this, Liu spent four years on the asset management team at Coutts where she was responsible for multi-asset product research and reviewed digital assets route-to-market options for private wealth and institutional investors.
Both Dean and Liu began their new roles on 23 August.
Commenting on the hires, Alexis Marinof, head of Europe for WisdomTree, said: “Digital assets continue to grow in popularity and is establishing itself as an asset class with great potential.
“With investors seeking out high quality research, education and thought leadership, we have bolstered our team with the appointments of Ben and Alice to meet the growing demand we are seeing.”
Dean added: “This is the perfect time to join as WisdomTree embarks on the next phase of growth for its digital assets platform.”
Dean and Liu follow two hires to the company’s sales team earlier in the year, Björn Sandberg as director of Nordic sales in June and Nilesh Parmar as director of UK institutional sales in March.
