Scott Grace, Janus’ treasurer, to leave next month

Scott Grace is resigning as treasurer of Janus Capital Group Inc., departing just weeks after the company's chief executive left the firm.

Scott Grace is resigning as treasurer of Janus Capital Group Inc., departing just weeks after the company’s chief executive left the firm.

“He’s leaving to pursue other interests,” said James Aber, a Janus spokesman.

But some industry experts said that his departure next month — rumored to be the first of several — is a direct result of former Janus head Gary Black’s exit last month.

“Black put in his own team, so it’s not surprising that people would be leaving,” said Geoff Bobroff, a mutual fund consultant in East Greenwich, R.I. “You would hope this wouldn’t be occurring, but you can’t control it.”

Mr. Grace joined Janus in 2003 and was named treasurer in 2006.

His boss, chief financial officer Greg Frost, will take over as treasurer on an interim basis, Mr. Aber said.

Mr. Black was brought in five years ago to help Janus of Denver rebuild after the devastating losses its mutual funds suffered when the technology bubble burst in 2000. He was named chief executive in 2006.

Tim Armour, a director at Janus, replaced Mr. Black on an interim basis.

Mr. Black’s departure was said to be partly due to friction with the Janus board over his desire to make a deal to sell the company or to enter into a partnership with another firm.