CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aegon Asset Management has appointed Gary Black as the Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Asset Management US effective June 27, 2016. Gary will be based at the Chicago office of Aegon Asset Management. Gary will report to Sarah Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Asset Management and former interim Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Asset Management US.

In his new role, Gary will lead all aspects of Aegon Asset Management's US business, and focus on implementing Aegon Asset Management's strategy to develop and distribute high-quality investment strategies and solutions for investors in the US and abroad.

Gary Black has 24 years' experience in financial services, most recently serving as Global Co-Chief Investment Officer at Calamos Investments. Prior to Calamos Investments, he was Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and founder of Black Capital. From January 2006 to July 2009, Gary was Chief Executive Officer of Janus Capital Group, and President and Chief Investment Officer from April 2004 to January 2006. As Chief Executive Officer of Janus Capital, Gary was responsible for successfully building distribution, creating a global team structure and turning around investment performance. Before joining Janus, Gary was Chief Investment Officer for global equities and responsible for US distribution at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM).

Gary began his investment career in 1992, working as a research analyst at Sanford Bernstein, where he was named as the top-ranking analyst in his sector for six consecutive years. He was awarded his MBA from Harvard Business School and earned his BS in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

"We are pleased that Gary Black is joining Aegon Asset Management," said Sarah Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Asset Management. "His distinguished track record and extensive experience in our industry make him an outstanding choice to lead our business in the US. Gary's experience in distribution, investments and creating global teams will be invaluable, and his appointment is a major step forward for our organization in our commitment to build our US business to meet the needs of our clients." 

Gary Black commented: "I have chosen Aegon Asset Management because I can see the enormous potential of the business. It has proven investment capabilities, considerable scale and a strong culture of adding value for its clients over the long term. I look forward to joining the team at Aegon Asset Management US." 

About Aegon Asset Management
Aegon Asset Management is a global, active investment manager. Aegon Asset Management uses its investment management expertise to help clients achieve a lifetime of financial security, with a focus on excellence, trust and partnership. Investors worldwide entrust Aegon Asset Management to manage approximately €344 billion on their behalf (as of March 31, 2016).

Positioned for success in its chosen markets (North America, the UK, Continental Europe and Asia), Aegon Asset Management's specialist teams provide high-quality investment solutions across asset classes. Its clients benefit from the extensive international research capabilities and in-depth local knowledge of Aegon Asset Management, as well as Kames Capital, its UK investment team, and TKP Investments, its fiduciary and multi-manager investment team in the Netherlands.

Aegon Asset Management is part of Aegon, one of the world's leading financial services organizations, providing life insurance, pensions and asset management.

About Aegon Asset Management US:
In the United States, Aegon Asset Management group companies include Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (AUIM) and Aegon USA Realty Advisors, Inc. ("AURA"), an unregistered real estate asset manager.  AUIM currently is the only legal entity within the Aegon Asset Management group of companies that provides securities investment advice to U.S. clients.

About Aegon
As an international life insurance, pensions and asset management company based in The Hague, Aegon has businesses in over twenty markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Aegon companies employ approximately 27,500 people and serve millions of customers across the globe. For more information: aegon.com.

SOURCE Aegon Asset Management