Candriam's global head of fixed income Philippe Noyard is to step down after 35 years with the asset manager. 

Noyard will retire in early 2025, to be succeeded by Nicolas Jullien (pictured), who has been with Candriam for 17 years and currently serves as head of high yield & credit arbitrage.

Jullien's career at Candriam has been marked by his longstanding collaboration with both Philippe and Nicolas Forest, CIO, beginning when he joined the company in 2007, today's (23 September) statement said.

"This close partnership, spanning 17 years, and Nicolas’ ongoing involvement in advancing our fixed income platform, make his appointment as Philippe’s successor a natural and well-deserved promotion", Candriam said.

Under his stewardship, Candriam’s High Yield platform had seen strong growth, now managing over €8bn in assets and earning multiple industry awards, including several Lipper Fund Awards and Morningstar’s Investing Excellence Awards, highlighting the success and impact of Nicolas’ leadership.

In this expanded role, whilst continuing to lead the High Yield & Credit Arbitrage team, he will lead our seasoned Fixed Income leadership team, collectively managing €32bn in assets, with 41 investment professionals covering notably Global Bonds, Money Market, Investment Grade, High Yield, Emerging Market Debt and Convertibles.

Nicolas Forest, chief investment officer, Candriam said: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Philippe for his contributions throughout his distinguished 35-year career at Candriam. His leadership has been pivotal in elevating Candriam's Fixed Income platform to a market-leading position. We also warmly congratulate Nicolas on his well-deserved promotion to Global Head of Fixed Income. His proven expertise and dedication ensure that we are well-positioned to continue our tradition of excellence and innovation in fund management.

"Candriam's fixed income offering is a crucial pillar and a key growth area for our firm. As we enter a new easing cycle with the return of negative correlation between bond prices and yields, the markets present promising opportunities. Nicolas and the team, with their in-depth knowledge and extensive expertise, are well-positioned to capitalise on these opportunities and continue delivering exceptional value to our clients in the years ahead.”

Candriam has been managing fixed income portfolios for over 30 years, offering solutions that span European and global bond markets with a strong emphasis on ESG principles.