Close Asset Management, part of UK banking and investment group Close Brothers, has announced that Nancy Curtin is to become chief investment officer at the firm.

Ms Curtin was previously chief investment officer at Fortune Asset Management, of which Close became the full owners in January after acquiring the minority equity stake.

At Fortune Ms Curtin led hedge fund manager selection, due diligence, monitoring and portfolio construction efforts, and advised a range of institutional clients on hedge and long only multi-manager portfolios.

“We have ambitious plans to develop and grow the business over the next few years and I am confident that Nancy will prove a great addition to the Close Asset Management team,” said Martin Andrew, chief executive of Close Asset Management.