BlackRock, the international investment management and advisory firm, has named a new head of consultant relations for Asia ex-Japan.

Patrick O'Donnell assumes this newly-created role and will be responsible for developing and managing relationships with investment consultants in the region. O'Donnell joins the firm from BNP Paribas Investment Partners, where he held various roles in Paris and Hong Kong. He most recently served as head of consultant relations for Asia-Pacific. 

The position is based in Hong Kong.

BlackRock has been actively bulking up its Asian business since the start of the year. In January, it appointed Jeong Hoon Lee as head of the alternative investment strategy group for North Asia. Before that, Mark McCombe, chairman for Asia-Pacific, was added to the newly-launched Financial Services Development Council. Hsueh-ming Wang was also named chairman for China.