Nikko Asset Management, the Japanese investment management firm, has announced several appointments across the group as part of its ongoing growth efforts in Asia.

James Alexander joins Tyndall AM, the firm's asset management subsidiary in Australia, as deputy head of fixed income, while at Nikko AM Asia in Singapore, Winson Fong joins as head of China strategies. Shivaz Rai steps in as investment director for Asian fixed income and Tian Sing Wee is now a risk manager.

The hires complement international chief investment officer Yu-Ming Wang's plan, announced in early 2013, to build the firm's global investment team, which now includes 250 people across 11 regions.

Alexander brings over 24 years of financial markets experience to his new role, where he assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the fixed income team and oversee Tyndall's fixed income process. He reports to Roger Bridges, head of fixed income.

Fong, from Lion Global Investors in Singapore, is a China markets veteran and in this new post will be responsible for the Greater China equities team, covering onshore A-shares mandates and related products. Rai, from Alchemy Investment Management in Singapore, will now oversee the Asian local currency and rates and Asian credit strategy inputs. Wee, who moves from Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, will assess the aggregate investment risk profile at Nikko AM Asia and evaluate product risk management and market-related risk exposures.

Fong reports to Soo Nam Ng, chief investment officer, while Rai and Wee report to Eleanor Seet, president of Nikko AM Asia.

Nikko Asset Management records $162 billion in total assets under management as at 31 March 2013.