MFS names next CIO

MFS Investment Management has appointed Alison O'Neill to the top investment job, following the promotion of the current investment chief to chief executive.

O'Neill will replace Edward Maloney in overseeing the firm's 300-person strong investment team, which includes the firm's equity, fixed income, quantitative solutions and global trading function.

The incoming chief investment officer has been with MFS since 2005 when she joined as an equity research analyst.

She was named director of research for North America in 2016, assumed her portfolio manager role in 2018 and was named co-chief investment officer in 2020.

In her role, she partners with the other regional co-CIOs in the research management process and strategy discussions.

"Alison is an exceptional leader and culture carrier. She brings valuable investment knowledge across industries and sectors to her role as CIO as well as deep conviction in the firm's long-term-focused investment platform," Maloney said.

The outgoing investment chief said during O'Neill's nearly 20 years with the firm, she had helped hire and mentor the investment team and worked closely with leadership to help enhance the MFS'  investment platform.

"Alison is a fantastic teammate in the truest sense of the word, and we look forward to her bringing her unique experience and perspective to the MFS management committee."

The current chief executive, Michael Roberge, will become executive chair.

MFS holds about US$615.1 billion of assets under management.