Lazard Asset Management is pleased to announce that Robert Forsyth has joined the firm as Managing Director and Global Head of ETFs. Based in New York, Mr. Forsyth will drive the development and expansion of Lazard’s active ETF platform.

“Lazard has been a leading provider of active strategies for decades, helping clients diversify their portfolios by accessing insight-driven products that seek to generate alpha,” said Evan Russo, CEO of Lazard Asset Management. “We are continuously evolving our platform so that more clients can access our leading investment strategies. Building and expanding an active ETF platform is a key next step in our plans and Rob will play an important role in accelerating our ambitions. Over the course of his career, Rob has distinguished himself as a leader who can build, scale, and distribute exchange traded products that resonate with a wide range of investors. We look forward to leveraging the breadth of his skills and experiences to advance our vision and objectives.”

Mr. Forsyth joins Lazard Asset Management from State Street Global Advisors, where he was most recently Global Head of ETF strategy. During his time at State Street Global Advisors, he held various leadership positions in product, investment, and sales strategy for their $1 trillion ETF business. He has developed a deep understanding of the ETF ecosystem over the course of over 20 years working with exchange traded products. At Lazard, he will report to Jennifer Ryan, Head of North American Distribution, and will work closely with the firm’s leadership team to build its ETF offering.

“The opportunity to join Lazard and help this storied firm build its active ETF platform is unique,” said Mr. Forsyth. “The Lazard brand, the quality of its investment products, and the firm’s global reach will help bring sophisticated investment products to a larger number of clients through exchange traded products. I am eager to help build the platform and bring a more efficient and tax-friendly vehicle to investors.”

In June 2024, Lazard Asset Management launched its first ETF product, the Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Active ETF, for Australian investors. The firm will continue to build on this launch, along with a new sub-advised ETF mandate in the US. Today, Lazard offers clients a range of active equity and fixed income products through mutual funds, UCITS, and SMAs. In addition to offering prominent active US strategies, the firm has long been a leader in providing Global, International, and Emerging Market strategies for its global client base.

This addition is the latest senior level hire for Lazard Asset Management. The firm’s plan to build its ETF platform is a continuation of its strategy to develop products and solutions that further evolve Lazard’s investment platform and distribution capabilities.

Source: Lazard