Liontrust has poached GAM veteran global equity specialist Mark Hawtin to take over as head of global equities.
Hawtin currently oversees the Global Growth Equity team at GAM, which is responsible for funds such as GAM Star Disruptive Growth and GAM Star Alpha Technology.
He joins Liontrust with his team – David Goodman, Kevin Kruczynski and Pieran Maru – as well as Jeremy Roberts, who will take the role of head of global distribution (ex UK).
The team currently manages the GAM Star Disruptive Growth and GAM Star Alpha Technology funds.
In response, GAM has hired Paul Markham to lead its Global Growth Equities and Disruptive Growth teams, starting in February.
Markham most recently steered Global Opportunities Equities at Newton Investment Management, overseeing a strategy with more than £7bn in assets.
Liontrust's recruitment of Hawtin and his team follows its recent attempt to acquire GAM, which was rejected by the Swiss firm’s shareholders.
John Ions, chief executive of Liontrust, said: "Hawtin and his team are an important addition to Liontrust given the importance of global equities across the client base.
"He has a strong track record in managing long only and long/short equity funds at Marshall Wace and then GAM and further enhances our global capabilities.”