Barclays, the UK headquartered bank, has strengthened its emerging markets research capacity with a senior appointment.

Dr Nigel Chalk begins as managing director and head of emerging Asia research based in Singapore with immediate effect. Chalk joins the company from the International Monetary Fund, where he most recently served as China mission chief and senior advisor on Greater China and Mongolia. He has been with the IMF since 1997. 

At Barclays, Chalk will lead the macro-economic, foreign exchange and interest rate teams across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand, excluding Japan. He reports directly to Piero Ghezzi, head of global economics, emerging markets and foreign exchange research, and to Jon Scoffin, head of research for Asia-Pacific.

He replaces Peter Redward, who went back to New Zealand in late 2011 to establish his own emerging market advisory business.

Barclays' Asia headquarters is in Singapore, but it also has offices in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei.