Artio Global Investments [see profile] is setting up shop in Australia. The New York City-headquartered firm hired Ian Webber to run its Sydney office.

This is Artio's third office outside U.S. shores. Its other overseas locations are Toronto and London.

Artio CEO and CIO Richard Pell described the expansion into Australia as a "natural move" for Artio, pointing to the opportunities that the Australian institutional market brings.

The firm's initial focus in the region will be on its global equity strategy. It will also offer its global high yield strategy.

The opening of the Sydney office forms part of the firm's strategy to increase its distribution into Asia, company officials said.

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Company Press Release

Artio Global Investors Selects Australia for Global Expansion

Ian Webber to Lead Focus on Australian Institutional Investment Market

SYDNEY & NEW YORK, Jul 06, 2011 --

New York-based investment management firm Artio Global Investors ("Artio Global") announced it is opening an office in Sydney, Australia, bringing its unique investment management approach to the Australian institutional market.

Artio Global manages US$ 49.2 billion in assets as of May 31, 2011 across a range of equity and fixed income strategies. The firm has built a successful long-term track record by taking an unconventional approach to actively investing across developed and emerging markets in asset classes where inefficiencies can effectively be exploited. This development will provide Australian investors access to global markets in an active management format that is relatively unconstrained.

Mr. Richard Pell, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Artio Global, said the firm will bring select offerings to the local institutional market, noting that "the sophistication of the Australian institutional marketplace means there is much opportunity for Artio Global's unconventional approach, making this a natural move for the firm." Sydney will be the firm's third non-US office, after Toronto and London.

Artio Global's initial focus in the region will be on its Global Equity strategy, which the firm has managed since 1995. On the fixed income side, the firm will also provide its Global High Yield offering, which it has been running since 2003.

Australian Institutional Specialist Hired to Head Sydney Office

The Sydney office will be managed by Australian Ian Webber, Director, Institutional Investments (Australia & New Zealand), who joined Artio Global in June of 2011. Mr. Webber has extensive experience providing investment solutions to institutions, most recently as Co-Head of Australia/Head of Sales and Marketing for AXA Rosenberg Investment Management. He also served as Director, Institutional Business for Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup Asset Management. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Newcastle.

Tony Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Artio Global said, "We believe that we offer a well-differentiated and compelling perspective on global investing that will resonate with Australian investors. Ian's background and experience working with local institutions provides a strong base for us to make inroads into this important market."

Artio has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. The Sydney office will be part of the firm's strategy to increase its distribution into Asia. "We have been looking to expand our global network and Australia, with its appetite for a variety of strategies and large pool of superannuation capital is a logical early opportunity," concluded Mr. Pell.

About the Company

Artio Global Investors Inc. (NYSE: ART) is the indirect holding company of Artio Global Management LLC, a registered investment adviser headquartered in New York City that actively invests in global fixed income and equity markets, primarily for institutional and intermediary clients.

Best known for International Equity, Artio Global also offers a select group of other investment strategies, including Global Equity, a series of US Equity strategies, High Grade Fixed Income, High Yield and Local Emerging Market Debt. Access to these strategies is offered through a variety of investment vehicles, including separate accounts, commingled funds and registered mutual funds.

Since 1995, our investment professionals have built a long-term track record by taking an unconventional approach to investing. Based on a philosophy of style-agnostic investing across a broad range of opportunities, we have consistently pursued a global approach that we believe provides critical insights, thereby adding value for clients over the long-term.

For more information, please visit www.artioglobal.com.

 

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