Asset management group Schroders is moving into the insurance-linked securities (ILS) space.

The UK-listed asset manager with operations here in Bermuda has bought a 30 percent stake in Switzerland-based ILS and reinsurance investment fund manager, Secquaero Advisors, the company announced this week. Schroders manages some £212 billion ($323 billion) in assets and as of the end of March, Secquaero advised assets under management of approximately $280 million.

“Insurance Linked Securities is an exciting and growing investment category offering attractive risk-adjusted returns, while at the same time genuinely diversifying the portfolio. We are delighted to be able to offer this new asset class to our institutional clients,” said Stephen Mills, head of Switzerland for Schroders.

The deal means Schroders will now be able to offer ILS to its institutional investment clients for the first time and Secquaero get the backing of one of the largest investment managers in Europe.

Industry watchers say this latest acquisition is testament to the growing profile of insurance-linked securities among asset managers around the world as the ILS market becomes more accepted by mainstream investment houses.