Man Group, an alternative investment manager, has hired an executive chairman for North America as it looks to grow its business among institutions, foundations, family offices and intermediaries.

John Rohal will work closely with Eric Burl and Lance Donenberg, respectively chief operating officer and head of sales for North America, and report to Manny Roman, president and COO of Man.

Rohal is a former institutional client of Man’s and is a member of the investment committee at California-based Makena Capital Management, a multi-asset class investment manager. There he oversees global investments in public equity and tactical hedged equity. He is stepping down from this position.

He will take up his role at Man on January 1, 2013.