Aberdeen-based investment company launches insurance group

Aberdeen Investments has launched a new Strategic Insurance Group to strengthen its relationships with insurers and expand its reach across international insurance markets.

The new division will serve as a centre of excellence focused on developing enterprise-level partnerships with insurers and enhancing Aberdeen’s global insurance investment proposition.

The Strategic Insurance Group will operate across key global markets and provide dedicated support to Aberdeen’s regional sales teams, delivering what the firm described as “bespoke insurance propositions, integrated portfolio management and high-touch client service”.

Matthew Smith, currently head of insurance clients, has been appointed global head of the new group. Based in London, he will report to Aberdeen’s chief client officer, John McCareins.

Insurance in Aberdeen

McCareins said: “Insurance is central to Aberdeen’s strategy and future. That is why we have brought our insurance capabilities together in the Strategic Insurance Group – a fully integrated team with a presence in all key global insurance markets.”

He added that the group’s goal was to “deliver strategic insights across an interconnected insurance landscape” and to help insurers achieve long-term investment and governance objectives.

Smith said the new team would operate with an insurer’s mindset to better align with client expectations.

“We think, act and invest like an insurer,” he said. “We know what it takes to do this well – from managing portfolios and supporting reporting to delivering the technical and actuarial expertise our clients expect.

“Our portfolio managers bring direct regulatory knowledge to optimise insurance portfolios.”

Aberdeen currently manages £200bn in assets for more than 150 insurance clients worldwide, covering credit, multiasset, quantitative index strategies and real assets.