Wilshire Funds Management has hired Jim Gentleman as a managing director responsible for marketing and distributing multi-asset, retirement and alternative investments to global financial intermediaries.

Gentleman previously joined Wilshire in 2006 and spent six-and-a-half years there as a vice-president before moving on to business development roles at Hewitt Ennis Knupp and Access Distribution Partners.

Most recently he was a director at Fulcrum Asset Management, in charge of marketing the $6bn firm’s discretionary macro and systematic strategies in the US.

Jason Schwarz, president of Wilshire Funds Management and Wilshire Analytics, said the firm is happy to have Gentleman back.

“His extensive experience working with financial intermediaries and deep knowledge of the alternatives space will enhance Wilshire’s ability to innovate and deliver a broad range of high impact solutions for our clients,” Schwarz said.

“I look forward to working closely with Jim across our key disciplines, including asset allocation and manager research, as well as hedge fund managed accounts, liquid alternatives and risk premia.”

Gentleman said going back to Wilshire was “an easy decision,” saying he’s excited to return. He will be based in Chicago and report to Schwarz.

Within its alternatives team, it has seen some turnover of late. It recently restructured its hedge fund manager research team amid a spate of departures, bringing it under the purview of Rob Noe, head of manager research for Wilshire Funds Management.

Other recent hires include portfolio manager Suehyun Kim in its Santa Monica headquarters and senior associate Rebekah Chow in its Chicago office.

Wilshire hires ex-Fulcrum director for marketing role on HFM InvestHedge.