Ashfield Capital Partners Appoints Christine Chen Senior Investment Analyst

SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashfield Capital Partners, a San Francisco based investment management firm specializing in domestic and global growth-equity strategies and an affiliate of Old Mutual Asset Management (OMAM), today announced it has named Christine Chen as Senior Investment Analyst, Global Consumer. Ms. Chen comes to Ashfield Capital as the firm progresses in strengthening its actively managed, growth-focused investment capabilities for institutional, SMA, mutual fund and individual investor clients.

Ms. Chen has nearly 10 years of experience as an analyst covering the retail and consumer sectors and 20 years in the financial services industry. Her expertise in bottom-up fundamental and top-down analysis will expand Ashfield's ability to capture growth opportunities in US and global large-cap retail stocks.

"Christine brings a deep understanding of the retail industry that will supplement our existing strengths across all sectors of the large-cap equity market," said Greg Jones, Ashfield's Director of Global Equities. "Her expertise in developing investment ideas from fundamental bottom-up analysis will be essential as we continue to broaden our global equity coverage and capitalize on opportunities in the world's fast growing markets."

Prior to joining Ashfield Capital, Ms. Chen spent five years at Needham & Company as a Principal and Senior Research Analyst. As the lead analyst on 14 major retailers, she developed investment ideas and led retail market research. Prior to that, Ms. Chen was a Senior Research Analyst at Pacific Growth Equities and a Research Analyst at Tiburon Research Group.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Chen spent over 10 years in investment banking roles at Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.  She holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

About Ashfield Capital Partners

Ashfield Capital Partners, LLC, based in San Francisco, CA, offers portfolios comprising high-quality growth companies for domestic and international corporate retirement plans, public funds, multiemployer pension plans, endowments, foundations and private investors. Its predecessor company was founded in 1973 and was reorganized in 2007 when Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. purchased a majority interest in the firm. See www.ashfield.com for more information.

About Old Mutual Asset Management

Old Mutual Asset Management (OMAM) is a global multi-boutique investment organization, managing and growing a diverse portfolio of asset managers that serve institutional and individual investors around the world. The assets under management of OMAM's 17 affiliated investment firms were $231 billion as of December 31, 2011. OMAM is the name through which Old Mutual (U.S.) Holdings Inc. conducts its U.S. asset management business. Its parent company is London-based Old Mutual plc. More information on OMAM, its member firms, and their investment teams and strategies, is available at www.oldmutualus.com.

SOURCE Old Mutual Asset Management