Investec Asset Management, part of UK- and South Africa-listed Investec, has appointed Fergus McCarthy as sales director for UK strategic partnerships, an area in which the firm said it is committed to building long-term business partnerships.

McCarthy has 13 years of experience in the asset management industry. He joins from Martin Currie, where he was appointed as sales manager in 2007. He started his career at Jupiter, subsequently moving to AXA Investment Managers as retail marketing manager, responsible for key strategic client relationships.  

“In a market environment of fast-changing regulation and increasing complexity, strengthening relationships with our key strategic partners is more important than ever before,” said David Aird, managing director of the UK client group.

Aird also said the Retail Distribution Review will bring to the firm “many opportunities” in the independent and restricted advisor channels.

In other recent hires within Investec’s asset management division, Victoria Harling was added to its emerging markets debt and credit team in April.

Last month Investec reported that its asset and wealth management division had expanded to account for nearly half of the group’s operating profit in the year to 30 April, up from 38.6 per cent the year before. Total funds in the asset management arm rose from £58.8 billion (about $91.4 billion) to £61.5 billion.