As part of the move the firm has relocated Ali Karmali, head of Middle East and Africa, to Dubai from London, and also named Chris Gower to the newly created role of head of EMEA consultant relationships.
Both Gower and Karmali will report to Kanesh Lakhani, head of distribution for EMEA and global consultant relationships.
A spokesperson for First State said the Dubai office is expected to be up and running in the “first half of the year” and that Gower would play an important role in growing First State's franchise, bringing greater coordination to dealings with consultants across the region.
She added that First State currently has several client relationships in the Middle East across a range of asset classes.
In addition, Alex Mackenzie Smith, who has already been working for First State in a consulting capacity, is appointed to the newly created position of business development director, Europe. He will be responsible for developing new client relationships in Europe.
First State added that Andrew Ward, who has been with the company for over a year, has been appointed to the newly created position of distribution manager, also reporting to Lakhani. He will be responsible for co-ordinating First State's client engagement across the wholesale and institutional markets.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia-owned company opened its first office in continental Europe, in Paris, in January 2012.
