Japan’s Nikko Asset Management has appointed Geoffrey Post as head of international product development following the news of a joint venture agreement between Nikko and India-based Ambit Holdings.

The deal will add offices in Mumbai and Mauritius, bringing the group’s total number of offices to 20 across 11 countries including Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

In his new role, Post will work closely with Nikko’s investment, sales and product development teams in Asia (excluding Japan), Europe and the US, to help develop the international mutual fund range and expand the company’s assets and client base, the firm said in a statement.

Post, who will be based in London, has a 12-year background in product development and will report to Nikko’s Europe president, Charlie Metcalfe.

Previously, Post worked at Coutts as head of product development. Prior to this, he was responsible for the international mutual fund range at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. He has also held audit roles at SG Warburg and PricewaterhouseCoopers, within the asset management sector.

“Nikko has a wealth of investment experience across Asia, which has the potential to appeal strongly to international investors. Looking at Nikko’s capabilities in China, India, Singapore and Australia, I am confident we can bring some compelling Asian investment products to our international clients,” said Post.

Last year, the firm acquired Tyndall Investments in Australia and New Zealand, as well as DBS Asset Management from DBS Bank.

In October, Eleanor Seet was subsequently appointed as president and executive director to help expand Nikko’s presence in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The transactions have since boosted Nikko’s assets under management to more than $157 billion, the firm said.