Ignis Asset Management has added Ingrid Neitsch to Ignis Advisors, the firm’s alternatives division, as head of credit strategies.

Effective 3 September, Neitsch will be responsible for investments in hedge funds and private equity in credit markets. The firm said it is planning to launch a strategic credit fund - to be overseen by Neitsch - in the final quarter of 2012. The fund will invest in specialist, low-liquidity credit strategies.  

Neitsch joins Ignis from Financial Risk Management, an institutional fund of hedge funds manager, where she was sector head, responsible for credit.

“It [the new fund] is particularly suitable for clients seeking longer duration assets to match their liability structure,” Neitsch said. “This is an area that has received less focus in recent years but demonstrates excellent return potential.” 

In related moves, at the beginning of the month the firm launched the Ignis Absolute Return Credit fund.