Chicago-based Perkins Investment Management is making Peter Thompson its new chief executive.

In his new role, Mr Thompson will be responsible for the daily management of the business. Jeff Kautz, who has been serving as interim chief executive, will continue to serve as chief investment officer and co-portfolio manager of Perkins Mid Cap Value Fund and Janus Adviser Perkins Mid Cap Value.

Mr Thompson comes to Perkins from Chicago Asset Management, where he served as president and chief executive officer. Prior to that, he was with Ariel Capital Management for 12 years, where he served as executive vice president and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors.

On 31 December, 2008, Janus Capital Group purchased an additional 50 per cent in Perkins bringing Janus Capital Group’s stake in that firm to 80 per cent.

Perkins Investment Management is an asset management firm within the Janus Capital Group, managing almost $11 billion as of 30 September, 2008. Denver-based Janus Capital managed approximately $160.5 billion in assets at the same date. Outside the
US, Janus has offices in
London,
Tokyo and
Hong Kong. Janus Capital Group consists of Janus Capital Management, INTECH Investment Management and Perkins.