Aanand is a seasoned industry leader known for pioneering innovative investment products and sustainable strategies. Most recently, he was the Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Legal & General Asset Management, UK’s largest asset manager, where he drove the development and rapid growth of the business after its acquisition from ETF Securities in 2018. He designed and launched several of Europe’s first thematic funds, spanning battery technology, the hydrogen economy, clean water, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.

Previously, Aanand was an executive director at Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs in their index research and structured products businesses, and served as an assistant professor in Finance at the University of Sussex. He has published in top academic journals, co-authored book chapters, and his quantitative models have drawn significant industry interest. Aanand holds a PhD in Mathematical Finance from the University of Reading and is currently spearheading the Commonwealth Fund, which is expected to launch in 2026.