Sarbit Asset Management Inc. today announced, the hiring of Tom Ball as executive vp & portfolio manager — fixed income.

Ball brings over 28 years bond and 17 years equity experience to Sarbit. He has personally been responsible for managing pension funds and insurance portfolios up to $6 billion in assets.

His extensive background in the financial industry began at Great West Life in 1977 and through the years he has contributed to a variety of financial institutions both private and public, among them; City of Regina and Calgary, Richardson Greenshields, Insurance Corp. of British Columbia and most recently, the Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board.

“I am thrilled to have on board a seasoned manager whom I have worked with before. Tom brings a wealth of experience in the field of fixed income,” says Larry Sarbit, president and CEO.

Ball has achieved first quartile results over the last six years for bond portfolios up to $5 billion in assets on a four year moving average basis compared to the standard bond index. He has implemented several investment programs/policies which have resulted in improved performance or additional income at numerous former positions.

“Fixed income will play a larger and larger role in people’s portfolios as the baby boomers are now hitting the age of retirement. We are extremely fortunate in acquiring someone of Tom’s pedigree to run our existing fixed income funds,” adds Sarbit.

Ball has earned a CFA designation and will, subject to regulatory approval, replace Nestor Theodorou who has run Sarbit’s two fixed income products since September 2006.

Theodorou has left to pursue other opportunities, the company says.