Altamira Investment Services today announced changes to its portfolio management team. Ian Ainsworth, former head of the Altamira Canadian Equity Team and Lead Manager of the Altamira Equity Fund, has left the firm.

“The changes are part of our new strategic direction, aimed at meeting the investment expectations of our clients,” said Gisele Wilson, newly appointed chief investment officer of Altamira, in a news release. “We will be able to leverage the expertise of our existing, as well as new talent, using a new multidisciplinary team-based approach.”

Wilson is responsible for overseeing the portfolio management team and investment process at Altamira, including portfolio construction, risk management, trading and research.

Virginia Wai-Ping is replacing Ainsworth. She has been appointed head of the Altamira Canadian Equity Team and lead manager of the Altamira Equity Fund, effective Jan. 6, 2003. Wai-Ping has over 14 years of investment industry experience and has a growth investment philosophy.

“Virginia has a proven track record and won the Best Small to Mid Cap Fund Manager Award at the 2001 Canadian Mutual Funds Awards Gala,” said Wilson. “She is a valuable addition to our team.”

Anne-Marie Thomas has been appointed Lead Manager of the Altamira Bond Fund. She has been a member of the Fixed Income Team since 1998 and will continue to manage the Altamira Income Fund. Both the Altamira Bond Fund and the Altamira Income Fund will be co-managed by Edward Jong who has been a member of the Fixed Income Team since 1993. He will continue to be lead manager of the Altamira T-Bill Fund, Altamira Short Term Canadian Income Fund and Altamira Short Term Government Bond Fund. These funds will be co-managed by Dagmar Pagel, who has been a member of the Fixed Income Team since 2000.

Robert Marcus, former head of the Fixed Income Team and lead manager of the Altamira Bond Fund, has left Altamira.

Ann Thompson has been appointed Portfolio Manager on the Altamira Global Equity Team, effective Jan. 6, 2003. She will focus on U.S. Equities. Ann has over 19 years of industry experience and uses a growth investment management style.

http://www.newswire.ca/releases/November2002/27/c6818.html