A $133bn quantitative manager owned by the investment arm of US insurer Prudential Financial has hired a former BlackRock veteran to bolster its international distribution capabilities.

John Gee-Grant, who left BlackRock in February after a 30 year stint with the $6tn asset manager, will join QMA as head of international distribution and global consultant relations — a newly-created role. QMA is a quantitative equity and multi-asset manager.