The investment arm of the French banking giant has added a team from a rival firm for its equity team in London.

BNP Paribas Investment Partners, part of the French banking group, has hired a four-strong team from NewSmith Capital Partners to build a new institutional global equity capability.

The newly formed Global Equity team, to be based in London, will be headed by Simon Roberts, and will also comprise Jonathan Barnett, James Mann and Stewart Lambert.

The four each have over 20 years’ experience in fundamental equity research – across both the buy- and sell-sides – and managing long-only and long/short equity strategies. Roberts will report to Guy Davies, director of Equities, who in turn reports to David Kiddle, global chief executive of BNPP IP’s Institutional Business. The team will invest according to its established investment philosophy and process, the firm said in a statement.

“I am delighted to welcome this experienced group of seasoned investment professionals who will be instrumental in strengthening our already robust equity capabilities.  Global equity expertise is key in the current environment and a clear priority for BNPP IP.  Simon, Jonathan, James and Stewart bring a collegiate and open approach in an environment where it is instrumental that our best investment ideas are shared for the benefit of all of our clients,” Kiddle said.

Roberts has extensive experience of managing UK, European and Global funds on a long-only and short-only basis for institutional and retail clients. Roberts has also held senior positions at BlueCrest Capital, Lazard Asset Management and Fidelity.

Barnett and Mann specialise in managing long-only and absolute return strategies for institutional investors. Barnett previously worked at Moore Capital, Caxton Associates and Sloane Robinson, while Mann has held roles at BlueCrest Capital and worked in an equity sales capacity at James Capel and Smith New Court / Merrill Lynch.  Lambert has previously held varying positions at Balyasny Asset Management, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Hill Samuel Asset Management.

“These new hires reflect positively on our investment culture – in which peer review and investment debate co-exist with investment autonomy. These appointments also demonstrate our commitment to delivering the highest quality investment solutions to our clients,” Kiddle added.