International financial services holding company Great-West Lifeco has expanded in the UK with the launch of Keyridge Asset Management, providing UK-based wealth advisers with access to its investment management capabilities.

The company has combined its European asset management businesses Canada Life Asset Management (CLAM), Setanta Asset Management, and Irish Life Investment Managers (ILIM) to create the new firm in the UK market.

Keyridge has more than £135bn in combined assets under management and provides bespoke investment strategies that aim to meet evolving client needs.

Lifeco said that launch of Keyridge improved the combined firms’ capacity to deliver innovative and effective investment solutions to clients and the broader market, as a provider of multi-asset solutions, fundamental equities and systematic quant and bespoke indexation.

The ILIM and Setanta brands will remain in operation in Ireland, while CLAM will continue to be active in the UK, managing balance sheet assets for Lifeco’s companies and partnering to provide fixed interest fund management solutions.

Keyridge has a workforce of around 300 individuals, led by chief executive, Patrick Burke.

The firm also has an independently rated operational platform, which Lifeco said would enable seamless integration across strategies and deliver strong execution for wealth advisers and their clients.

“Launching Keyridge in the UK reflects both our confidence in this market and our commitment to serving clients in one of the world’s most influential financial centres,” commented Burke.

“Keyridge will provide UK wealth advisers and customers with the focus and expertise of our specialist investment management teams, combined with the scale, support and efficiency that goes with being part of a $3trn global financial services group.

“Our ability to connect the full breadth of our investment expertise with a highly adaptable platform and partnership-driven culture means we can deliver solutions that truly align with our clients’ priorities.”

Lifeco CEO Europe, Lindsay Rix-Broom, added: “Today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of our ambition to build a truly global asset management platform.

“By bringing together the strengths of ILIM, Setanta, and Canada Life Asset Management, we are creating a business with the scale, expertise and agility needed to thrive in the UK’s dynamic market.

“Combining these businesses allows us to harness the best of our talent, technology and investment capabilities, ensuring we are well positioned to realise our vision for Keyridge and for our clients.”

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