AXA IM strengthens US equity team with new portfolio manager hire
15 APR, 2025
By Jose Luis Palmer from RankiaPro Europe
AXA Investment Managers has appointed Gordon Happell as portfolio manager within its global equity team, where he will focus on US mandates. The hire reinforces the firm’s commitment to strong stock selection amid evolving market conditions.
Experienced US equities specialist joins AXA IM
Gordon Happell, who spent a decade at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, has joined AXA IM as co-manager of two US equity strategies: the AXA Framlington American Growth fund and the AXA WF US Growth fund. He will manage the portfolios alongside David Shaw, a senior portfolio manager with extensive experience at the firm.
Happell previously co-managed the US portfolio of the Global Smaller Companies Trust at Columbia Threadneedle. His departure from the firm followed a broader shake-up, including the closure of its UK small-cap division and the merger of the team into a pan-European small-cap unit. At AXA IM, Happell will report to Dominic Byrne, Head of Global Equities for AXA IM Core.
Strategic hire ahead of AXA IM’s change of ownership
Global equity investing continues to play an important strategic role in our portfolios and requires strong stock selection ability for our clients. Therefore, we are very pleased to welcome a portfolio manager with as much experience, knowledge and enthusiasm in this area as Gordon.
In an exciting and dynamic time for global stocks, this is a high calibre appointment, aligned with AXA IM's investment process and philosophy, who will help us to continue delivering strong performance for our clients.
Dominic Byrne, head of global equity for AXA IM Core
