Sustainable Asset Management Group, a Zurich-based asset manager backed by Dutch manager Robeco, has appointed Reto Kuhn to head its new alternative investments unit. The new unit was established to develop alternative means for private and institutional investors to engage in sustainability investments. The company plans to launch its first sustainable hedge fund during the first half of this year. Mr Kuhn, who will join on 1 February, will be responsible for establishing, expanding and marketing alternative investments such as hedge funds and sustainable products. A former general manager of Swissair's pension fund for flight personnel, he was co-founder and chief executive of Swiss occupational benefits provider Pension Fund Services. SAM Group was founded by chief executive Reto Ringger in 1995 as an independent asset management company for sustainability investments. Dutch fund manager Robeco acquired a 64 per cent stake in December 2006. As at the end of last year, SAM had a total of SFr15.1 billion ($13.7 billion) in assets under management and advice.