Conning, a global provider of asset management solutions and services to the insurance industry, has appointed Woody Bradford as new president and chief operating officer (COO). He will also join Conning’s board of directors.

In this new role, Bradford will serve to accelerate Conning’s various growth strategies.

Prior to joining Conning, Bradford served as an operating partner with Advent International, a private equity firm. Earlier to this, he spent 12 years at Putnam Investments where he held multiple roles, including head of Corporate Development and chief operating officer of Global Distribution.

Conning chief executive officer Salvatore Correnti said that the company look forward to work with him to implement key operational and business development initiatives designed to make Conning the asset manager for the insurance industry.