US-based asset manager Columbia Threadneedle Investments has appointed Sarah Blakelock to the new role of Head of UK Client Group. Based in London, Sarah joined the firm on 3 November and will be responsible for the UK client business and sales strategy.

The newly created role deepens the UK Distribution leadership team, recognising the strategic importance of the UK business, which has an established footprint offering a full range of investment capabilities to wholesale, institutional, insurance and investment trust clients.

Blakelock will report to Michaela Collet Jackson, Head of EMEA Distribution and Marketing, and will take on the reports for the UK sales leaders Mike O’Toole, Head of UK Wholesale, Greg Skinner, Head of UK Institutional and Insurance, and Marrack Tonkin, Head of Investment Trusts.

She has 20 years of experience in client and sales enablement roles within the asset management industry and joins from Wellington Management, where she held various senior Client Platform roles, including COO of the Client Group. Prior to that, Sarah held senior roles at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, including COO of the EMEA Client Business.

Michaela Collet Jackson, Head of Distribution, EMEA at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, said: “We are very pleased to have Sarah join the business with her calibre and experience. Her appointment reflects the ambition to accelerate growth across our established UK footprint and the need to connect the expertise across our UK client business under a single leader, to better serve our clients as they evolve within the changing environment. We are committed to remaining forward thinking and relevant across our capabilities to provide solutions for clients as their needs adapt. Sarah’s deep industry expertise, strategic mindset and collaborative approach will be invaluable as we continue to grow and deliver for our clients.