Investec Asset Management has expanded its Asian retail fund capabilities with the creation of a new management position.

Beonca Yip assumes the newly-created role of head of advisor distribution for Asia ex-Japan, reporting to Richard Garland, managing director of the Americas, Japan and Asia advisor client divisions. Yip was previously the head of retail at Eastspring Investments, the asset management arm of Prudential Asia. She left in May 2013. 

The new post is in line with the firm's efforts to build its distribution capabilities in the Asia region, which includes plans to open a retail advisor business at its Lion City branch in Singapore in 2014. Investec already has an existing institutional business in the city-state, which opened in September 2013. 

Yip, who joined in 28 October, is based in Hong Kong and will be working directly with retail banks, private banks and wealth management firms. In addition Hong Kong, she will also oversee the Taiwan branch.