John Melvin will lead Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s (GSAM) insurance fixed-income asset management business as a managing director and head of insurance fixed-income.
Melvin replaces John Gauthier, who left GSAM in June 2008 to join Allied World Assurance Co., Andrea Raphael, a spokesperson for GSAM told Investment Management Weekly today. He joined the firm Nov. 3.
This most recent addition is part of the firm’s efforts to expand the group. In 2009, approximately 10 people have been added to the team, Raphael said. The global insurance asset management group has nearly 30 dedicated insurance professionals.
Melvin will be based in New York City and report directly to Eric Kirsch, managing director and global head of GSAM’s insurance asset management business. Melvin is expected to work closely with the firm’s U.S. and global bond teams, a Dec. 8 press release said.
“John’s extensive fixed-income and insurance experience will be a terrific addition to our work with global insurers,” Kirsch said in a prepared statement. “Insurance asset management is a core focus for GSAM, and we are pleased to welcome someone with John’s expertise to our team of dedicated insurance asset management specialists.”
Meanwhile, for the last seven years Melvin served as a managing director for Deutsche Insurance Asset Management, where he was responsible for the oversight of the firm’s insurance fixed-income America business. Other past positions include a role as senior vice president at Lazard Asset Management.
As of Sept. 25, 2009, GSAM manages $848 billion in assets.
