Baring Asset Management, the UK-based investment management company, has announced the appointment of Colin Ng to the newly-created position of head of Asian equities in Hong Kong.

Mr Ng, who was previously the head of Asia Pacific equities at MFC Global Investment Management, will now be responsible for the company's range of regional Asian and single country funds, not including those involving China. He will report directly to the head of Asia Pacific investment, Henry Chan.

"For over 30 years, Asian equities have been a core focus for Barings and continue to be so with over $11 billion of Asian ex-Japan equities under management (as of 31 December 2009)," Tim Scholefield, the head of equities at Barings, said in a statement.

"We have created this new role to enhance our already strong investment management expertise in this dynamic growth market."

Barings' Asia-based assets comprise one-fifth of its total $47 billion under management. The company is currently focusing its expansion strategy in areas where the GDP per capita is rising, as reflected among emerging markets in Asia.