Blue Oar Asset Management, the recently formed UK asset management division of AIM-quoted investment bank Blue Oar, has recruited former Mercury Asset Management executive Adrian Akers for its first hedge fund launch, according to Citywire. Mr Akers joins as investment manager of a European long/short equity fund which is expected to launch during the third quarter of this year. It will be BOAM’s second planned fund launch and its first in the hedge fund arena. Mr Akers’ career history includes spells at Mercury Asset Management, where he was managing director in charge of the charities department. He has also held positions at Wells Fargo and Credit Suisse Asset Management.