Pictet Asset Management has appointed a new senior investment manager in the small cap equities team, from AXA Investment Managers.

Cyril Benier is a CFA Charterholder and has previously worked for AXA and Natixis where he was responsible for managing small cap portfolios.

The appointment comes after Pictet hired three new senior managers last week to expand their equities team.

Mr Benier has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology of Compiegne and a Masters in Business strategy from HEC Paris.

Based in Geneva, he will work alongside Alain Caffort, lead manager for the European small cap strategy.

Richard Heelis, chief investment officer for equities, said: “We are pleased to welcome Cyril who has established an impressive track record managing European small cap portfolios for over a decade.”