Arnott Steps Down as CEO of Research Affiliates

Rob Arnott, the founder Research Affiliates, which specializes in smart beta and asset allocation investment strategies, has stepped down from his role of CEO but continues as the firm’s chairman and maintains his research, client, and portfolio management responsibilities.

Katrina (Katy) Sherrerd, president of the firm and chief operating officer, replaces Arnott as CEO but continues to perform the duties of the COO, managing business functions while also focusing on firm culture and governance and executing key strategic initiatives.

“Katy has been running day-to-day operations at Research Affiliates for many years and this promotion simply formalizes her position,” said Arnott in a statement. “I will continue to dedicate my time to areas that I am most passionate about: research, portfolio management, product innovation, business strategy and client-facing activities.”

Sherrerd joined Research Affiliates in November 2006 and is a member of its board of directors as well as the boards of Rayliant Global Advisors and Institute for Quantitative Research in Finance.

Prior to joining Research Affiliates, Sherrerd was vice chair of the Investment Advisor Committee for the Virginia Retirement System and managing director of the CFA Institute. Sherrerd has also been a visiting professor at the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a lecturer at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance. Sherrerd has a Master of Science from MIT and a PhD from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.

As of June 30, $197 billion in assets worldwide use strategies developed by Research Affiliates, which is based in Newport Beach, California.