Press Release
Passing the baton in client services: Universal Investment focuses on continuity for sustained success
Date:
01. October 2024
Frankfurt am Main
- Katja Mueller becomes Multi-Supervisory Board Member at Universal Investment Group
- Jochen Meyers assumes responsibility for client relations as Group Head of Relationship Management
- Marcus Kuntz takes charge of client acquisition as Group Head of Sales
- Fund services platform continues to grow, with AuA up EUR 150bn in the current financial year
Universal Investment Group is further strengthening its client division to support its successful growth trajectory. As of October 1, 2024, Katja Mueller, currently Chief Customer Officer (CCO) of Universal Investment Group, will take on a new role as Senior Advisor and Multi-Supervisory Board Member of Universal Investment Group. Jochen Meyers will become Group Head of Relationship Management and will be responsible for all client service teams in Germany, Luxembourg, and Ireland. Marcus Kuntz will drive client acquisition as Group Head of Sales, overseeing sales for all business units across all locations. Both will report directly to Group CEO Francesca McDonagh, who is responsible for all client-related matters at the Group level. By expanding the management team, Universal Investment continues to prioritise client satisfaction.
Katja Mueller appointed as Multi-Supervisory Board Member
Katja Mueller will use her deep industry expertise to advise and support the management as a supervisory board member for UI Luxembourg, UI efa, UI BVK, UI Ireland, Masterinvest, and in the future, UI Germany. She will represent the perspectives and interests of clients. Katja Mueller has held several senior leadership positions at Universal Investment Group since 2014. Prior to joining the company, she spent ten years at Deutsche Bank Group in various key roles.
“I am excited to take on the new responsibilities as a supervisory board member and will bring my expertise and experience to serve the needs of asset owners and asset managers, with a focus on fostering a client-oriented organisation,” Katja Mueller said about her upcoming role. “I would like to thank Katja Mueller for her outstanding contributions to Universal Investment Group over the past ten years. Her commitment has played a key role in helping us grow our assets under administration and management to over 1 trillion euros and establish ourselves as the number one ManCo in Germany, as well as the top third-party ManCo and the leading AIFM in Luxembourg,” said Francesca McDonagh. “I am pleased that Katja Mueller will continue to contribute to Universal Investment in her new role, and I look forward to leveraging her insights and expertise to drive the company’s strategic and sustainable development.”
Expanded leadership to support future growth
Katja Mueller’s responsibilities will be divided between two highly experienced leaders within the organisation. Going forward, as Group Head of Relationship Management, he will take charge of client relations across the Group, including asset managers. Meyers has over 25 years of experience in the fund industry and joined Universal Investment in 2019. He previously worked at Société Générale Securities Services and the Bank of New York Mellon.
Marcus Kuntz, currently Head of Sales & Fund Distribution in Germany, will assume the role of Group Head of Sales as of October 1, leading client acquisition efforts across all target groups and markets. In addition to continental Europe, key regions include the United Kingdom and North America. Marcus Kuntz has been with Universal Investment since 2018 and has over 25 years of experience, having previously worked at State Street and Deutsche Bank.
“I am delighted that we have been able to appoint two seasoned leaders from within the organisation for these roles. I am confident that they will be instrumental in helping us become a leading global fund services provider,” commented Francesca McDonagh, CEO of Universal Investment Group.
Fund services platform on continued growth path
Universal Investment Group continues its growth trajectory as a fund services platform for the asset management industry. As of July 2024, the Group administers more than EUR 1.142 trillion across over 5,000 funds and structures, , an increase of EUR 150 billion from the current fiscal year, which began in October 2023. In Germany, the company achieved the highest net inflows in the industry, exceeding EUR 14 billion across all fund types in the first half of 2024. In Luxembourg, Universal Investment was again recognised as the top third-party management company and the largest Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). The company also secured several new mandates in Ireland.Media contact
Bernd Obergfell
Head of External Communications