Manulife Asset Management has strengthened its Korean equity business with the appointment of a new senior portfolio manager.

Andrew John O joins the firm as an SPM dedicated to the research, analysis and management of Korean equities. Based in Hong Kong, he will be working closely with the Hong Kong-based equity team, as well as other teams across Asia, and will report directly to Ronald CC Chan, the head of equities for Asia.

Manulife Asset Management has over 85 equity specialists on the ground in 10 markets in Asia. As of 31 December 2012, the unit records at least $50 billion in assets under management.

Andrew John O has been in the investment industry for 15 years and most recently worked for Horizon Asset International. Before that, he was with Frontpoint Partners, Goldman Sachs, the World Bank and the Korea Technology Banking Corporation.

His appointment is part of an ongoing expansion drive for the Asian equity investment team. In December 2012, Manulife announced the hire of Oscar Leung as senior portfolio manager for Hong Kong equities.