Abrdn shakes up multi asset and alts team

Abrdn has made new appointments to its multi asset and alternatives management team, with global head Russell Barlow leaving the firm after 26 years.

The asset manager said that Darren Wolf, who was global head of investments for alternatives strategies, has been promoted to Barlow’s role.

Barlow is taking a position with a non-competing firm, Abrdn said in an emailed statement.

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Additionally, Christian Howells has returned to Abrdn from BlackRock, to become head of investment specialists for multi asset and alternatives.

“Darren has led our Alternative Investment Strategies team for the past decade, overseeing the management of over $15bn (£11.9bn) of assets across hedge funds, private credit and risk mitigation,” said Peter Branner, CIO of Abrdn.

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“We are also delighted to welcome back our much-respected former colleague Christian Howells, who knows many of our clients well.

“I would like to thank Russell for his commitment and dedication to the multi asset and alternatives business. He leaves with our very best wishes for the future.”

The new appointments come after recent changes at the top at Abrdn. In September, Jason Windsor took over as chief executive from Stephen Bird and this month, Xavier Meyer was named chief executive of investments, replacing Rene Buehlmann.

Read more: Abrdn lays out case for diversifying into alts