Hanson joins from Ashburton Investments, where he was head of asset allocation with responsibility for global multi-asset funds. He has 15 years’ experience in asset management, having also worked as a strategist at JP Morgan Cazenove, covering equities, fixed income and currencies. In his new role, he will report to the firm's head of division, Dave Fishwick. 

“He has extensive experience across multi-asset strategies and will play a key role in broadening our capabilities around absolute return products. This will strengthen our multi-asset team and meet increasing demand from our clients,” said Graham Mason, chief investment officer at M&G Investments.

M&G recently reported that it suffered net outflows of £7 billion last year ($10 billion), compared to the £7.1 billion it generated in net inflows in 2014.