Baring Asset Management (Barings), the international investment management firm, has appointed Eric Poon to the role of Regional Head of Institutional Business, Asia ex Japan and Alexander Garton to the role of Director, Client Service and Relationship Development, effective immediately.

Eric Poon is based in Hong Kong and reports to Gerry Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Asia ex Japan. He is responsible for sales and business development across the institutional client base, including sovereign wealth funds, governmental and private institutions in Asia excluding Japan.

Eric joins Barings from UBP Asset Management where he was Regional Head of Business Development, Asia Pacific. Previously he was Institutional Sales Director, Greater China at Blackrock and before that held the same role at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. He has over 14 years' experience of working with institutional clients across Asia and in particular Greater China.

Gerry Ng, CEO, Asia ex Japan comments: “We are very pleased to welcome Eric to Barings. His deep knowledge and experience of the Asian institutional market will be very valuable in delivering Barings’ products and expertise to our client base. Asia Pacific has long been a core business area for us. Barings was one of the first asset management houses to open an office in Hong Kong back in 1973. As at 31 March 2012 we manage £4bn in assets from clients in this region.”

Alexander Garton is based in London and reports to Tim Lord, Head of Client Service and Relationship Development. He is responsible for managing and developing relationships with institutional clients in the UK.

Alex joins Barings from Evolution Securities where he was a Director in Corporate Broking. Prior to this he was a Director in Corporate Broking at RBS, Hoare Govett for 14 years, representing a combination of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE small cap clients, advising them on transactions including IPOs, equity funding issues and M&A as well as day to day Investor Relations.

Tim Lord comments: “We welcome Alex to Barings. His strong relationship experience will play an important role as we continue to grow our institutional business. Barings currently manages £23.6bn on behalf of institutional clients globally, as at 31 March 2012.”

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