The office is in Hong Kong and will be led by new appointment James Cooper who joins from financial consultancy firm Liminal Image, as head of business development, Asia.
Reporting to Kames’ head of distribution, Martin Harris, Cooper will be responsible for developing the business across the Asian market.
Commenting on the expansion plans, Harris indicated that Kames intends to expand quickly in the region. He said: “In the medium term we want to have some of our investment people based in Asia, this will help our management of both insurance company assets and third party assets.
“We also recognise that Asia-based investors want their money to be managed in the region if at all possible. We hope to be able to offer Asian funds to Asian investors, managed and run by Kames Capital in Asia.”
Kames was re-branded from Aegon Asset Management UK in September. At the time the company, which has £49bn in assets under management, said the new identity was designed to provide a clear distinction between its role as an asset manager and the wider Aegon company.
Andrew Fleming, who heads Kames, also said that the re-brand was an important step in the business “becoming a major force in investment management”.
