A former Putnam Investments [profile] executive will become CEO of Conning, a provider of asset management and research to insurance companies, next year. Woody Bradford will take the reins of the Hartford, Connecticut-based firm effective January 2.

Bradford was head of corporate development and chief operating officer of global distribution at Putnam. He worked at the Boston-based mutual fund firm from the mid-'90s through 2008.

Post-Putnam, he served as operating partner with Advent International then joined Conning Asset Management in February of last year. He was promoted to president and COO seven months later.

Company Press Release

HARTFORD, Conn., Dec 06, 2011 -- Conning, Inc., a leading global provider of asset management solutions, services and research to the insurance industry, today announced the appointment of Woody E. Bradford, CFA as Chief Executive Officer of Conning. The appointment takes effect January 2, 2012. Mr. Bradford succeeds Salvatore Correnti, who will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Conning.

"The Board is delighted to name Woody as Chief Executive Officer and we look forward to helping him realize the vision that we share for Conning. Woody has a long record of success in this industry including his work at Conning over the last two years. The Board and I believe he is the right leader to move Conning to the next stage of its development," said Jeff Greenberg, Chairman of Conning and Chief Executive of Aquiline Capital Partners. "I, along with several of my partners, have known and worked with Woody for over a decade and have full confidence that he can take on the complex challenges of the changing market and realize new opportunities that will make the company stronger."

"I also want to recognize the contributions made by Sal, and to thank him on behalf of the Board for his leadership over the past 10 years. He has helped Conning thrive through difficult market conditions and under his watch, the company has increased assets under management four-fold, from $23 billion to $85 billion," added Mr. Greenberg. "We are pleased that he will continue to support Conning as Vice Chairman of the Board."

With more than 15 years experience in the investment and asset management industry, Mr. Bradford joined Conning in early 2010 and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in September 2010. He has led a number of important initiatives for Conning, spearheading the company's expansion into Asia earlier this year by establishing a joint venture partnership with Cathay Financial Holdings, and enhancing Conning's position in Europe by appointing, in a newly created position, a European Chief Investment Officer.

Prior to joining Conning Mr. Bradford was an Operating Partner with Advent International, a global private equity firm. Previously, he spent 12 years at Putnam Investments where he had multiple roles, including Head of Corporate Development and Chief Operating Officer of Global Distribution.

Mr. Bradford is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Chemistry and of the Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA and graduated as a Baker Scholar.

About Conning

Conning ( www.conning.com ) is a leading asset manager for the insurance industry, with almost $85 billion in assets under management through its Hartford and Dublin investment centers as of November 30, 2011. For more than 25 years, Conning has built its asset management business to meet the investment and financial needs of insurers. The Company's unique combination of asset management, risk and capital management solutions and insurance research helps clients achieve their financial goals through the implementation of customized business and investment strategies. Founded in 1912, Conning is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with additional offices in New York, London, Dublin, Cologne and Hong Kong.

SOURCE: Conning, Inc.

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