AMP Capital is bolstering its presence in Asia to meet the development of the region's fixed income markets.
Sonia Baillie has been appointed head of Asian fixed income following three years as the company's head of credit research and analysis. She has over 17 years' credit market experience.
Baillie will start mid-November in Hong Kong, reporting to head of fixed income Mark Beardow.
Portfolio analyst Nam Nguyen has also transferred to Hong Kong after providing analytical support to the macro markets team and constructing fixed income portfolios for AMP Capital since 2007.
Baillie and Nguyen will be responsible for Asian rates and currencies and take AMP Capital's Hong Kong presence to 13 investment professionals.
Beardow said AMP Capital's portfolio reflected an increasing demand for yield and diversification from clients, with Asian investment markets growing in importance.
"These strategic appointments reflect the rapidly-developing capital markets across Asia for both local and hard currency fixed income," Beardow said.
"Given the importance of China and Japan for Australia, forming more developed insights into the Asian market is key for our investment strategy."
AMP Capital managing director, Asia, Kerry Ching said the company had seen its foothold grow rapidly in its first year of operation in Hong Kong.
"With Asian equities and fixed income expertise on the ground, we will be able to bring a comprehensive set of customised investment solutions to Asian clients," he said.
Senior portfolio manager Helen Pericleous, who has been acting in Baillie's role as head of the credit research and analysis team, will continue in the role.
