Ignis Asset Management has hired Mark Julio as portfolio manager for emerging markets equities, recruiting him from Baring Asset Management.

At Barings Julio had been an investment manager for global emerging market equities, serving as lead manager on the Baring Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and co-manager on the Baring Emerging Markets and Baring Global Emerging Markets funds.

“The strengthening and expansion of our emerging markets capability is an important strategic objective for Ignis and Mark’s appointment is a significant step in the achievement of this goal,” said Mark Lovett, Ignis’ chief investment officer for equities.

Julio’s appointment follows hot on the heels of that of Simon Cowan as fund sales director responsible for wealth manager and discretionary accounts in London.

Cowan previously served as regional sales manager at Old Mutual Asset Managers, where he looked after multi-manager, global bank, private bank and wealth manager accounts in London and the Channel Islands.