Old Mutual Wealth's asset management business is setting up shop in Zurich.

Old Mutual Global Investors, the asset management arm of the UK's Old Mutual Wealth, is launching an office in Zurich – its first in Europe.

The new operation will be spearheaded by Dominik Issler, who has been appointed as head of "DACH" distribution, a remit covering Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Issler joins from his role as director and regional head at Martin Currie Investment Management in Switzerland, a position he has held since 2010. Before this, he served as chief executive for Switzerland at ABN AMRO Asset Management.

In his new role, Issler will be responsible for boosting OMGI's business in the Swiss, German and Austrian markets. Based in Zurich, he will report to Allan MacLeod, the firm's head of international distribution.

“We have ambitious plans to significantly grow our global footprint and we have been taking considerable steps to ensure that we meet these goals,” said OMGI's head of global distribution, Warren Tonkinson.

“The arrival of Dominik will greatly complement the momentum that we have achieved in Europe.”

Old Mutual Global Investors, which was launched back in 2012, currently operates from offices in London, Hong Kong, Boston and Miami. As of the end of 2014, it managed $3 billion in assets for clients in Europe.