UK-based investment company Martin Currie has appointed Dominik Issler as country head for its Swiss business, a role he will take up in early January 2010.

In this newly-created, Zurich-based role Mr Issler will be responsible for client service and business development in Switzerland. He will be working alongside Eric Bateman, director, head of European sales.

Mr Issler is the former chief executive of Fortis Investments/ABN Amro Asset Management. His previous roles include that of head of institutional business for Zurich-based Schroder Investment Management, as well as key relationship manager for State Street Global Advisors in Zurich.

"The Swiss market has increasingly supported our active equity approach and we now want to be able to meet our clients' needs locally. This is therefore a key role for us and I am delighted that, with his experience and industry knowledge, Dominik is joining us," said Mr Bateman.

Martin Currie has been expanding its presence globally for several years, and in the last year has announced the opening of offices in both Singapore and Melbourne.

In other recent hires, in September the firm appointed Brendan Bryce as global head on advisory compliance within its risk and compliance team, as well as Ee Fang Chen as business development director for Asia.