AllianceBernstein has confirmed the hire of Jamie Hammond as its UK chief executive and the head of its Europe, Middle East and Africa client group, just weeks after news emerged of the asset management veteran's departure from fellow US manager Franklin Templeton Investments.

Financial News reported on December 23 that Hammond, who has 30 years' experience of the buyside and was Franklin Templeton's managing director for Europe, was set to leave after 15 years at the $790 billion firm and was in talks to take a senior role at AllianceBernstein.