Baring Asset Management has hired Thomas Kwan to lead its Asian debt investments unit.

Kwan steps in from ICBC Credit Suisse, where he handled global macro research and asset allocation strategies. In his new role, he will be looking at Asian bonds as attractive sources of risk adjusted returns, particularly the relationship between appreciating Asian currencies with capital growth opportunities. He will be operating out of Hong Kong.

"We have conviction that Asian debt offers the potential for very attractive risk-adjusted returns and expect demand for this type of product to grow as clients look to invest in Asian currencies for diversification benefits," said Thanasis Petronikolos, the head of emerging market debt, in a statement.

At present, Barings offers six regional or global fixed income products to Asian clients, including a global bond trust, a US dollar reserve fund, an emerging market debt local currency fund, a high-yield fund, an aggregate bond fund, and an international bond fund. It manages $61.5 billion in assets worldwide, with Asia accounting for 18 per cent of this total.