Chris Iggo retires from asset management industry
Asset management veteran Chris Iggo is retiring after 26 years in the industry, including a 20-year tenure with AXA IM.
Chris Iggo began his professional journey in 1989 as an economist at Chase Manhattan Bank, a position he held for seven years before moving to Barclays Capital for five years in the same capacity.
In 2000, he transitioned into asset management at Cazenove Capital Management, serving as head of strategy and directing the asset allocation team.
His longest professional chapter was with AXA IM, which he joined in May 2005 and where he eventually held senior positions such as chief investment officer and head of European and Asian fixed income.
The executive departed AXA IM earlier this year and subsequently took a brief role at French firm BNP Paribas as an investment professional in London.
He shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, stating: “Over my career, the world has changed in many unpredictable ways from the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and to the current debate on AI.
“I am sure that over the next coming years, it will change in many more unforeseen ways.
Reflecting on his career highlights, Chris Iggo highlighted the 2008/2009 global financial crisis and the pandemic as transformative events.
He noted that the pandemic shifted the industry’s focus toward sustainable investing, which sometimes obscured the true state of the global economy.
Regarding market conditions, Chris Iggo believes it is “surely time for improved returns” in bonds.
He argues that yields have returned to the levels seen at the start of his tenure at AXA IM, and he anticipates strong fixed income performance over the coming year.
This optimism stems from the fact that long duration bonds have suffered through a four-year bear market while term premiums have increased.
However, he suggests that a full market recovery requires a shift in the geopolitical environment, a reversal of global protectionist trends, and a change in fiscal policy.
Chris Iggo pointed out that the financial shocks of 2022, including unforeseen inflation and a rapid interest rate reset, caught many portfolios unprepared.
He suggested that the warnings regarding a potential fixed income disaster would have been more useful in 2022 than in 2026.
