Barings Loses CIO Mid-Merger | Chief Investment Officer

Ken Lambden, Barings Asset ManagementBaring Asset Management CIO Ken Lambden has exited the firm just two months after a merger with three other MassMutual boutiques was announced.

Babson Capital Management, its subsidiaries Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers and Wood Creek Capital Management, and Barings said they will be unified as one multi-asset investment firm under the Barings brand. The combined firm will manage $260 billion in assets across offices in 27 countries.

“As the four businesses move into a unified firm, Ken Lambden has made the decision to leave Barings,” the London-based manager said. “We wish him success in his future endeavors.”

Barings added that Tom Finke, current chairman and CEO of Babson, would lead the newly merged firm that will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“By bringing together these highly complementary world-class affiliates under the iconic and respected Barings brand, MassMutual enhances its already strong offering,” said MassMutual CEO Roger Crandall at the time of the merger’s announcement.

To aid with the transition of the merger and Lambden’s exit, current Baring Head of Multi-Asset Marino Valensise will lead the investment committee until the deal is closed in the fourth quarter this year.

“We have a strong investment leadership structure in place that focuses on the day-to-day running of our portfolios,” the firm said.

Lambden joined Barings in 2014, replacing then-CIO Valensise.

Previously, he was CEO of Schroders’ Australian business, responsible for the firm’s equities, fixed income, and multi-asset teams. He also worked as global head of equities for the firm for nine years in London managing £90 billion ($130 billion) of assets.