Michael Borkan, the former Bank of New York and Standard Bank of South Africa custody executive, has joined Britannic Asset Management, to head up its International Division. He was previously with Sinopia Asset Management, part of HSBC-owned CCF, in London.
Britannic says it has appointed Borkan as Head of International Sales and Distribution. He will report to Jonathan Polin, Sales and Marketing Director, and is charged with developing Britannic’s strategy for growing its distribution outside the UK.
“Michael has been extremely effective in growing Sinopia’s business outside France in Continental Europe and brings a wealth of experience,” says Polin. “Britannic Asset Management is a growing company with huge potential and Michael joining us will significantly strengthen our international presence. The forthcoming merger between our parentcompany, Britannic plc, and Resolution will increase our funds under management to over £30 billion providing us with the necessary critical mass to be an active contender in overseas markets.”
Britannic’s International team includes European Business Development Managers, Asa Norrie and Alan Spiros. Spiros has recently returned to Britannic following a year’s national service in the Greek Army. The team aism to build the profile of Britannic’s international equities and specialist fund teams, which manage Far East, Japan, European Equity and Hedge Funds.
At Sinopia Asset Management, Borkan was responsible for growing business in Europe, and raised some £0.5 billion for the firm over the last three years in alternative assets. Prior to Sinopia, Borkan had spells at Sandford Bernstein (’99-00), Pimco Global (’97-’99) and GSCS (’95-’97), as well as Standard Bank, Bank of New York, IBM and US Trust Company of New York.
Borkan graduated from Cornell University, US, in Industrial Relations. He also holds a University of Chicago MBA (Finance and Marketing) and a Diploma in Management Studies from Oxford University. He was until recently a Governor of the University of Birmingham and has been nominated to the Advisory boards of University of Warwick Business School and of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Europe.
Britannic Asset Management (BAM) currently manages approximately £14.5 billion in assets.