The IMS Group and HedgeOp Compliance, the UK-based consulting firms that merged in January 2012, have opened their first Asian office in Hong Kong.

The new office will provide localised support to hedge funds, wealth managers and alternative investment managers engaged in the Asian markets. Services include compliance consulting across jurisdictions, due diligence, training, web-based compliance and personal trading software and use of its regulatory hosting platform Mirabella Financial Services.

Jonathan Currie, previously the head of the regulatory transactions team at the IMS Group in London, will lead the Hong Kong branch.

"Our expansion into the Asian markets is in response to customer demand. Establishing a first local presence in Asia enables our group to better serve clients and allow them to maximise opportunities while minimising the issues associated through a regulatory breach," commented Currie in a statement. 

HedgeOp Compliance merged with The IMS Group in early 2012 to create an expanded team with over 100 staff working through the London, New York, Boston and San Francisco offices.