Altamira Investment Services Inc. on Thursday announced changes to its investment management mandates aimed at taking advantage of the combined competencies of Altamira Management Ltd. and Natcan Investment Management Ltd.

“The changes will allow us to leverage the expertise of our existing talent and put us in a better position to meet the performance expectations of our clients,” said Gisele Wilson, chief investment officer of Altamira.

Effective June 16, 2003, Natcan has been appointed sub-advisor of the Altamira fixed income funds, including Altamira Bond Fund, Altamira Income Fund, Altamira Short Term Canadian Income Fund, Altamira Short Term Government Bond Fund, Altamira T-Bill Fund, Altamira Global Bond Fund and Altamira Short Term Global Income Fund.

Natcan will also act as sub-advisor for the fixed income portion of the portfolios of the Altamira Balanced Fund and the Altamira Growth & Income Fund.

Natcan Investment Management Inc. has been appointed, Also effective June 16, Natcan has been appointed sub-advisor of certain Altamira international funds, including Altamira Global Diversified Fund, Altamira European Equity Fund, Altamira Global Value Fund, Altamira Asia Pacific Fund, Altamira Japanese Opportunity Fund, and Altamira Global Discovery Fund.

Natcan currently has over $18 billion in assets under administration, $10.5 billion of which are in fixed income and international assets. The company’s fixed income team is headed by Bruno Bourgeois and its international team by Vital Proulx. Each Altamira fund will be assigned a lead manager with accountability for performance.

Altamira will continue to specialize in the management of Canadian, U.S. and specialty equity funds, maintaining its growth investment style.

Altamira also announced that Anne-Marie Thomas has been appointed deputy chief investment officer and vice president risk Management.

The company said Edward Jong and Mark Grammer will be leaving Altamira effective June 13.