Architas, the multi-manager arm of the French insurance and financial services giant AXA, has brought in Cedric Bucher as head of business development as part of moves to expand in both the UK and Europe.

Bucher joins from SEI in London, where he had been head of client investment strategy for the UK and EMEA. In his prior career he was with Barclays Wealth, responsible for the development and implementation of product strategy for the firm’s range of multi-manager funds.

In his new role at Architas Bucher will lead business development and product strategy, as well as sit on the management committee.  He reports to managing director Hans Georgeson.

In other developments, earlier this week Architas announced the launch of three new sterling OEIC funds in a bid to broaden its range of funds catering for differing levels of risk tolerance.

The launch of the Dynamic Multi-Asset Passive, Growth Multi-Asset Passive and Reserve Multi-Asset Passive funds takes the total number of Architas Multi-Asset Portfolio funds to six.