Standard Life Investments, the global asset manager, has hired a new investment director for its Australian business, in addition to opening a new office in Asia.

Standard Life Investments, the global asset manager, has hired Matthew Newham as an investment director for its Australian business.

Commencing in his new role this week, Newham will be based in Sydney and responsible for developing Standard Life Investments’ wholesale business across Australia and New Zealand.

He joins from JANA Investment Advisers, where he was responsible for business development, marketing and communications functions for almost seven years. Previously, he held analyst positions with IWL Limited and Coca Cola Amatil.

Newham’s hire follows the recent appointment of Jill Shaw as an investment director, responsible for developing the institutional business in Australasia. Shaw joined the Sydney office from Standard Life Investments’ head office in Edinburgh, having gained almost 20 years experience working in the financial services industry.

Both will report directly to the firm’s head of Australasia, Simone Bouch.

 “We are seeing increasing demand from Australian investors for Multi Asset and Fixed Income Absolute Returns Strategies and growing interest in Global Real Estate solutions, where we believe Standard Life Investments offers best of class capabilities,” said Bouch, confirming that the hire is part of Standard Life Investment’s move to expand its business in Australasia.

New Asia office

In addition to Newham's hire, Standard Life Investments also officially opened new offices in the LHT Tower in Hong Kong, as part of its on-going Asian expansion.

“Standard Life Investments has ambitious plans to develop Hong Kong as our Asia Pacific hub, supporting our existing offices in China, Korea, and Australasia, as well as activity in other key markets including Taiwan, Singapore and South East Asia,” said Colin Clark, executive director of the board and head of global client group, Standard Life Investments at the official opening today.

As at 30 September 2013, Edinburgh-headquartered Standard Life Investments had third party assets under management of $152.5 billion and total assets under management of $290.8 billion.