Wisdom Tree has announced its latest "significant hire" as it looks to further make inroads into the European ETF marketplace with Alexis Marinof, formerly of State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), joining as head of European distribution.
Back in January the ETF provider and exchange traded product (ETP) sponsor poached Jason Guthrie from Deutsche Bank to head up its capital markets operation in Europe.
Marinof will lead Wisdom Tree's European distribution efforts which include a dedicated resource of client relationship and distribution personnel covering Germany, the Netherlands, the Nordic region, Switzerland as well as the UK.
He was previously chief operating office for EMEA distribution at SSGA's London office.
Marinof will report to David Abner, the head of Europe and replaces Morgan Lee who is returning to Wisdom Tree's US headquarters as regional director for the West Coast.
Abner told ETFstream that Marinof was joining a European business which had momentum behind it. "We think there is continued demand from investors for exactly what ETFs bring to market," he said. "In Europe, I see the regulatory environment as being favourable for growth in the ETF industry, driven by investor preference."
He added that the Wisdom Tree hires were a response to an investor demand for conversations about EFTs. He said the company was happy with the growth it had enjoyed with its European business since it was launched three years' ago.
