Asset management giant Amvescap Inc. says its CEO search remains in progress, and it’s in the process of whittling the list of candidates down to a short list.

On Feb. 28, the firm formed a board committee of non-executive directors to broaden the external search for a new chief executive officer.

“The Amvescap nomination and corporate governance committee has held a number of meetings and is progressing with the search,” the company said in a statement. The committee has engaged the international executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, which has already provided it with a list of potential candidates.

A short list of candidates is being prepared, from which the committee expects to commence interviews as soon as possible, it adds. A target of midyear has been set to complete the search process, subject to the satisfaction of any legacy employment contract obligations a successful candidate may have.

At its annual meeting April 28 the company will seek shareholder approval to amend its articles of association to reflect separate the chairman and CEO responsibilities. The board has published separate terms of reference for both the chairman and chief executive officer roles on its Web site.