Wachovia Global Securities Lending (WGSL) has appointed three new senior executives to its business development team, as a part of an effort to enhance marketing efforts, expand sales initiatives, and deepen client relationships.

The company has named Darren Ansell as senior vice president of its sales endeavors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Based in London, he will be responsible for new business development and expanding the WGSL platform in the EMEA regions, including pension funds, corporate entities and government institutions.

Mr Ansell has more than 20 years experience in securities lending, most recently serving as director of securities finance at Citi, where he was responsible for introducing new clients and prospects to the agency lending program for both custodial and non-custodial clients. Previously, he held a variety of positions at five major investment banks.

Lori Buffum has been named regional sales executive, based in Chicago. In this role, she will be responsible for new business development and expanding the WGSL platform in the western US, Illinois and Michigan. Previously, she was a member of the defined contribution institutional sales team for Wells Capital Management. Prior to that, she led the public sector sales effort for Evergreen Investments. Before joining Evergreen Investments in 2003 she worked for Oechsle International and State Street Global Advisors.

Michelle Riffelmacher has been named marketing manager, based in Short Hills, New Jersey. In this role, she will be responsible for developing the marketing strategy for WGSL. She is joining the company from State Street where she spent six years in the securities finance division. She has extensive experience with non-cash collateral securities lending programs.

Mr Ansell, Ms Buffum and Ms Riffelmacher will report to John Menard, director of new business development for WGSL.

Kevin O’Connor, head of WGSL, said: “We are pleased to have these talented individuals join the WGSL business development team. Given their collective experience, extensive industry network connections, and excellent sales track record we are confident that they will make immediate and valuable positive contributions to our sales team.”