Ms Nikulina's promotion follows Craig Baker's recent appointment to the role of global chief investment officer.
Mr Baker said the new leadership structure would enhance Towers Watson's ability to compare mandates of a similar nature – such as long-only equity and long/short equity, or public and private equity.
"It will also create better alignment between our research efforts and portfolio construction process," Mr Baker said.
"We can offer clients a variety of differentiated solutions which span a variety of return drivers and the implementation spectrum from bulk beta through smart beta to alpha – whether in liquid or illiquid space," he said.
"Luba will work closely with David Hoile as head of the asset research team, Tim Hodgson as head of the thinking ahead group and me, to ensure that we continue to have one consolidated global research effort that brings our best ideas to all of our clients around the world, whether advisory or delegated," Mr Baker said.
