Directorate change
Aberdeen Group plc
Non-executive director appointments
Aberdeen Group plc announces that Arno Kitts and Richard (Rick) Lacaille have been appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Directors with effect from 3 June 2026. They will put themselves forward for election by shareholders at the 2027 AGM.
Arno Kitts has over 30 years' experience in global asset management and insurance, having held senior leadership roles at BlackRock, Henderson Global Investors and JP Morgan. At BlackRock, he was Managing Director of the UK Institutional business and Chief Executive of its life insurance investment platform. He is the founder of Perspective Investments, a boutique investment management firm. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director of Pension Insurance Corporation plc, where he chaired the Investment and Origination Committee. His combination of investment, distribution, insurance and governance expertise will be a valuable addition to the Board. Arno is currently Chair of New World Group Holdings Limited and a member of the Investment Committee of The Valesco Group Limited.
Rick Lacaille is a highly experienced investment leader, having spent over 20 years in senior roles at State Street Global Advisors, latterly as Global Chief Investment Officer, where he had oversight of investment activity across active and passive strategies and multiple asset classes. He brings extensive experience of leading global investment teams, navigating complex market environments and driving strategic change across economic and market cycles. Rick also has deep experience in ESG having most recently served as Global Head of ESG at State Street, where he led the firm's approach to sustainability and engagement with regulators, clients and investors. His global perspective and understanding of markets and evolving regulatory themes will bring considerable value to the Board. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Enzo Advisors LLC and Executive Advisor at Arab Invest. He has also held a number of industry roles, including as Chair of the Institute for Quantitative Investment Research and as a member of the Investment Association's Asset Management Committee.
Commenting on these appointments, Jonathan Asquith, Chair of Aberdeen Group plc, said:
"I am delighted to welcome Arno and Rick to our Board. Both have considerable experience in global asset management, combining significant investment expertise with distribution, strategy and governance. Together, they bring highly complementary skills and perspectives and significant industry insight, which will be of considerable value as we execute Aberdeen's strategy to become the UK's leading wealth and investments business."
Following these changes, the Board will comprise two executive directors, seven non-executive directors and the Chair. The Board will be made up of four women and six men. The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority have been notified of these changes. Arno and Rick's other appointments are listed below. There are no further details to disclose under Listing Rule 6.4.8R. The Board considers both Arno Kitts and Rick Lacaille to be independent in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
3 June 2026
Enquiries:
Media
Duncan Young
+44 (0) 7920 868 865
Institutional Equity Investors
Duncan Heath
+44 (0) 207 156 2495
Group Secretariat
Iain Jones
+44 (0) 7464 917 797
LEI number of Aberdeen Group plc: 0TMBS544NMO7GLCE7H90
END
Notes to Editors
Arno Kitts
Non-Executive Director's Fee
Arno's fee as a Non-Executive Director of Aberdeen Group plc will be £75,000 per annum.
Interest in Shares
As at the date of this announcement, Arno does not hold any shares in Aberdeen Group plc.
Biographical Details:
Nationality:
British
Education:
University of Southampton, PhD
University of Southampton, BSc, Mathematics
Current Non-Executive Roles
2025 - Current
New World Group Holdings Limited
Chair
2023 - Current
The Valesco Group Limited
Member, Investment Committee
2017 - Current
Wakett (Malta) Ltd
Non-Executive Director
Executive Career Summary
2008 - Current
Perspective Investments
Founder, Director of MH Markets Global Limited and Pi Investment Management Limited; member of the Investment Committee and Investment Advisory Committee and a director of managed funds.
2012 - 2016
BlackRock
Managing Director, UK Institutional Investment business
Chief Executive of BlackRock Life Limited
2003 - 2012
Henderson Global Investors
Head of Global Distribution
Head of UK & EMEA Institutional Business
1997 - 2002
JP Morgan Chase
Head of UK Institutional Business, JP Morgan Asset Management
Head of European Defined Contribution Business, JP Morgan Asset Management
Chief Executive, JP Morgan Life Limited
1989 - 1997
Forester Insurance Group
UK Group Chief Executive & Head of Investments
GM, Finance and Operations & Head of Investments
Investment Analyst, Actuarial & Investment Department
Previous Non-Executive Roles
2016 - 2025
Pension Insurance Corporation plc and Pension Insurance Corporation Group Limited
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Investment and Origination Committee
2017 - 2023
Wake Trade Technologies Ltd
Non-Executive Director
2006 - 2011
Pension & Lifetime Savings Association
Non-Executive Director
Rick Lacaille
Non-Executive Director's Fee
Rick's fee as a Non-Executive Director of Aberdeen Group plc will be £75,000 per annum.
Interest in Shares
As at the date of this announcement, Rick does not hold any shares in Aberdeen Group plc.
Biographical Details:
Nationality:
British
Education:
London Guildhall University, MSc, Econometrics and Forecasting
Lancaster University, BSc, Operational Research
Current Advisory Roles
2024 - Current
Enzo Advisors LLC
Senior Advisor
2026- Current
Arab Invest
Executive Advisor
Executive Career Summary
2000 - 2023
State Street Global Advisors
Senior Advisor and Global Head of ESG
Global Chief Investment Officer
Head of Global Active Quantitative Strategies
Chief Investment Officer, Europe
Head of Structured Equities
1993 - 2000
Gartmore Investment Management Ltd
Head of Structured Equities
Head of Quantitative Research
1984 - 1993
C Squared
Quantitative Finance Consultant
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