In the new role, Zurich-based Weber will manage the growth of PGIM’s relationships with global, regional and local banks and intermediaries, the firm said. Weber joins PGIM Investments from a senior sales role at AllianceBernstein in Switzerland, and before that focused on Swiss institutional clients as a relationship manager for Credit Suisse.

PGIM Investments is the $1.2 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial. The group took similar actions last year when it set up a dedicated team to extend coverage in Germany and Austria. Frankfurt-based vice president Thiemo Volkholz, will oversee operations in all three countries.
 

Relendex
UK peer-to-peer lender Relendex has appointed James Hodgson as a business development manager covering the North East region. Hodgson began his career at Yorkshire Bank and joined the property specialist from Assetz Capital, where he was an underwriter director. He also spent time at National Australia Bank as a commercial real estate manager.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Sonabend, executive chair at Relendex said Hodgson’s “strong sector relationships and track record in building and converting leads” were key to bringing him on board.

Aviva
Aviva Investors, the global asset management unit of UK-listed financial services group Aviva, has boosted its US equities business. Robert Plaza has joined as a portfolio manager from Key Private Bank, where he was director of equity research, while Nick Nikitas and Adam Schmitz have joined as equity analysts from Robert W Baird and Harris Associates, respectively.

The new members are based in Chicago, and report to Susan Schmidt, head of US equities at Aviva Investors.

The appointments follow that of David Cumming as chief investment officer, equities, in January 2018. Including these latest hires, 18 investment professionals have joined the equities platform.