Skandia International, the offshore business of London- and Johannesburg-listed Old Mutual Wealth Management, has announced a number of senior appointments in Singapore and Hong Kong, taking aim at what it sees as strong growth prospects in the region.

In Singapore, Craig Ellis has been made head of the region and principal officer for Royal Skandia in Singapore and southeast Asia. He is responsible for operations, regulatory functions and strategic relationship development. He previously worked at Allianz as regional head of Asia, life and health.

Ellis will join Skandia International’s sales leadership team, reporting to sales director, Victor France.

Meanwhile, Chris Ivinson has been appointed head of sales for the region, reporting to Ellis. He has been part of the Royal Skandia team in Singapore since 2006.

In Hong Kong, Alan Leung has joined Royal Skandia as head of strategic development for the Hong Kong region, a newly created role. Leung joins from Swiss Privilege where he held a number of strategic roles since 2006. He reports to Mike Leeson, Royal Skandia head of sales for Hong Kong and NE Asia.

Earlier this year, Skandia International announced that it is to transform its offshore product and investment proposition by launching a new, end-to-end wealth management service called Wealth Interactive. More recently, it said that Singapore will be the first market to benefit from the new service which will be introduced via an innovative, online product offering.

Skandia International currently comprises Royal Skandia, Skandia Life Ireland and Old Mutual International (all of which are offshore cross-border organisations). Skandia International is also responsible for Skandia Life sales to local nationals in Finland. Skandia International is a part of the worldwide Skandia Group, itself owned by Old Mutual.