Columbia Threadneedle Investments has pushed into the smart beta space after completing its acquisition of New York-based Emerging Global Advisors.

Columbia Management Investment Advisers has completed its acquisition of the New York RIA Emerging Global Advisors, in a move adding over $900 million in assets across nine emerging markets equity exchange-traded funds.

Marc Zeitoun, formerly EGA's chief product and marketing officer, now leads Columbia Threadneedle’s strategic beta business, reporting to Ted Truscott, chief executive of Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

Meanwhile, Edward Kerschner now serves as chief portfolio strategist for strategic beta, reporting to Colin Moore, global chief investment officer, and Zeitoun.

The company said it intends to rebrand the EGShares ETFs to Columbia later this year, in line with the firm’s US mutual funds and other ETFs.