TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 21, 2016) - Today, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada) announced the appointment of Kurt Reiman as its Chief Investment Strategist.
As part of a firm-wide effort, BlackRock Canada is enhancing its investment strategy platform to expand its capabilities to create, coordinate and communicate value-added market and investment insights for clients and investors across the country.
"The addition of Kurt to our Canadian team underscores the expansion of our investment and product strategist platform to allow us to better serve our clients in a rapidly changing market environment," said Marcia Moffat, Head of BlackRock Canada. "Regulatory change, technology disruption and divergent economic circumstances around the globe are making markets more complex and returns harder to generate. With the evolution of the Canadian market strategist platform, Kurt will be integral to creating new opportunities to connect with and assist Canadian investors."
"I look forward to the opportunity to concentrate more closely on the Canadian market and bring my investment market insights to the team," said Reiman. "It is a privilege to be part of a company that delivers innovative solutions to create a better financial future for Canadians. As clients look to us to provide outcomes in this environment, they are seeking our guidance and insights that span the globe, asset classes and a spectrum of products, delivered in a locally relevant way."
This past January, BlackRock announced changes to unify its investor platform by building connectivity across regions and strategies to broaden the mandate of BlackRock's Investment Institute (BII). As BlackRock Canada's Chief Investment Strategist, Kurt, in conjunction with the firm's Head of Canadian Fixed Income, Aubrey Basdeo, will participate in the BII forums. Together they bring a robust viewpoint covering all aspects of the Canadian market to the global discussions while also delivering those insights effectively to our clients and investors. The BII has established itself as a critical vehicle for BlackRock's investors and strategists across the firm.
Kurt joined BlackRock in 2013 as a Global Investment Strategist where his responsibilities included relating the Investment Strategy Team's research and investment views to key institutional and financial advisor clients and offering perspective on all asset classes which include equities, fixed income, alternatives and multi-sector approaches to investing.
No stranger to Canada, Kurt has been an integral partner to the Canadian business in his previous role through his participation in multiple client events and briefings held over the past couple of years. His appreciation for Canada has consistently been a part of his academic and research career which includes obtaining a double major in Canadian Studies and International Business from SUNY Plattsburgh, visiting as a student in the finance program at McGill University, taking part in an internship program with the Montreal Board of Trade and concentrating in Canadian Studies while studying International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University's School for Advanced International Studies. Kurt brings more than 15 years of experience in investment research and strategy and prior to joining BlackRock, he was the Head of Thematic Research at UBS Wealth Management in Zurich and New York and held analyst positions at Reuters and the G7 Group.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At December 31, 2015, BlackRock's AUM was US$4.645 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. As of December 31, 2015, the firm had approximately 13,000 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com/ca / Twitter: @BlackRockCA / Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can
Contact Information:
Maeve Hannigan
T - 416-643-4058
Maeve.Hannigan@blackrock.com