Unigestion replaces head of communications – updated

Geneva-based fund of funds Unigestion has hired a new head of communications and public relations, Secondaries Investor has learned.

Lynn Pattinson joined the firm at the end of last year, according to her LinkedIn profile. She replaced Claire de Sousa, who left the role in September. De Sousa had been a director and head of communications since June 2012, according to LinkedIn. She left to pursue her own strategic communications and marketing firm.

In the interim managing director Jean-François Hirschel led press relations, the firm has said.

Pattinson previously spent four years as the head of corporate communication and branding at BNP Paribas Investment Partners. She also spent nearly eight years as the global head of corporate communication and branding at Fortis Investments.

A spokesperson from Unigestion was unavailable to comment on Pattinson’s appointment by press time.

The firm has been in market with its third secondaries fund since 2013. The fund is targeting between €200 million and €300 million and held a first close on €100 million in November 2013. The fund had deployed €40 million across six deals as of April 2014. It has since invested an additional €6 million in one deal, as of February.

Unigestion’s previous secondaries fund closed on €190 million, above its €150 million target in 2011.

This story has been updated to reflect the corrected target for Unigestion’s third secondaries fund which is between €200 million and €300 million.