Putnam Announces Two New Hires

Cooper, who joins Putnam as Director of Global Equity Research, and Perkins, co-head of International Equities, will be based in Boston and partner with London-based Putnam veteran Simon Davis. All three managers will report to CIO Walter Donovan. 

Cooper is responsible for overseeing Putnam’s global equity research efforts, and will also be named portfolio manager for Putnam’s Research and Global Sector funds. He comes to Putnam from Fidelity Investments, where he served as Managing Director of Research from 2007-2011. He also formerly managed the Fidelity Advisor Health Care Fund, the Fidelity VIP Health Care Portfolio and the Fidelity Select Medical Equipment and Systems Portfolio. He earned his B.A. in Economics at Harvard University.  

Perkins will work closely with Simon Davis to bolster Putnam’s international equities unit, and will also be named portfolio manager of Putnam Global Equity Fund, alongside Darren Jaroch.  He was portfolio manager for Fidelity’s Mid-Cap Stock Fund from 2005-2011, and previously was responsible for the Fidelity OTC Fund. He received his B.A. in Economics from Amherst College and is a CFA Charterholder. 

Donavon spoke of the changes to Putnam’s overall investment management process under Bob Reynolds’ leadership in the announcement, and commented, “The arrival of Aaron and Shep
will only enhance our capabilities in key areas and further position our investments team for long-term success.”
 

-Sara Kelly