Specialist leveraged loan manager Babson Capital Europe has announced the appointment of Andrew Godson as head of distribution, responsible for the firm's global sales and distribution act

Specialist leveraged loan manager Babson Capital Europe has announced the appointment of Andrew Godson as head of distribution, responsible for the firm's global sales and distribution activities as well as distributing Babson Capital Management products to European investors.

Godson, who reports to chief executive Ian Hazelton, was previously at Citigroup, where he ran syndicate for collateralised debt obligations and structured credit in Europe, and was also instrumental in the growth of Citi's collateralised loan obligation franchise. Earlier he spent three years in the securitisation group at Nomura, where he was involved in the structuring of CDOs and securitisation in esoteric asset classes.

'We are delighted that Andrew has joined Babson Capital Europe at this interesting time,' Hazelton says. 'The current loan market dislocation presents attractive investment opportunities, and Andrew's industry experience and background will help us continue the growth of our asset management business.'

Babson Capital Europe has been investing in the continent's senior and mezzanine leverage loan market since 2001 and currently has more than EUR7bn under management in 11 funds, four managed accounts and two warehouses.

The firm was founded in 2000 as a platform for a multi-fund debt management business. It is active in the leveraged buyout debt market, offering investors diverse investment opportunities with a variety of risk profiles, and invests in senior loans, mezzanine loans and buyout-related high-yield bonds, predominantly in Europe.