New York-listed Westwood Holdings Group has appointed Mark Freeman as chief investment officer - a role which he had previously shared with the firm’s founder Susan Byrne since January 2011.

Freeman has led Westwood’s income opportunity team since its inception in 2003 and has been a key member of its large cap value team for over 10 years alongside Jay Singhania, Todd Williams, Lisa Dong, Scott Lawson and David Spika.

Byrne, who is also the firm's founder and chairman of the board, will remain at Westwood and work with president and chief executive Brian Casey, along with the board of directors, on strategic global initiatives, as well as supporting investment leadership. 

The Dallas-based asset manager and trust-service provider manages investment assets and offers services for its clients via two subsidiaries, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust.